Healthcare in Jersey

If you are new to the Island it is important to register with the Customer and Local Services department as soon as you arrive.

Once you have been on the Island for 6 months, and have paid any due Social Security contributions, you can request a Social Security Health Card. You won’t be able to claim your card immediately, but the first 6 months will be counted from when you first register. You will need a health card to get a subsidy when you visit your GP, and to get free prescriptions.

(Please note that French nationals are eligible for a health card straight away due to an existing agreement between Jersey and France.)

Children do not need their own health card. If you have a baby, take their birth certificate to Customer and Local Services to receive a Social Security number and a Doctor’s registration form. You will need these to take your child to a GP and to pick up prescriptions on their behalf.

Emergency treatment at the Jersey General Hospital is free but you will have to pay for other hospital treatment and services unless you meet 1 of the following conditions:

• • you have been living in Jersey for at least 12 months prior to treatment
  • you have been living in Jersey for at least six months prior to treatment during which time you have been in regular paid employment or paying income tax and you have a valid health card
  • you have Licensed status.

Exemptions include:

• • the cost of treatments covered by an agreement between Jersey and your country of residence or previous residence. This is known as a reciprocal health agreement
  • if you are visiting an official capacity. For example, as consul or ambassador
  • if you require treatment for certain diseases or conditions.

The hospital provides a full range of services, with reciprocal health agreements covering specific treatments that require care at specialist UK units.

The Island has extensive private healthcare and good relationships with the main medical insurance companies.

All immediate members of your family that move with you will need their own health card.

If you are ordinarily resident and Licenced, your eligibility for free hospital-based treatment is extended to your ordinarily resident spouse/registered civil partner, providing that they:

• • ordinarily live with you AND
  • are to remain living in Jersey (evidence of intent to remain resident in Jersey is required) AND
  • do not ordinarily live elsewhere.

Also, if you are ordinarily resident and Licenced, your eligibility for free hospital-based treatment is extended to your ordinarily resident dependent child/children, providing they are:

• • under the age of 18, or under 21 but still in full-time education
  • ordinarily live with you AND
  • are to remain living in Jersey (evidence of intent to remain resident in Jersey is required) AND
  • do not ordinarily live elsewhere.

GP (General Practitioner) surgeries are private businesses in Jersey. There is a charge to use them. Fees can vary slightly between surgeries. Additional charges may be added to your bill for some services, such as blood tests and injections.

If you need to visit the GP in the first 6 months after you arrive in Jersey, you will have to pay the full cost. After 6 months and after paying any Social Security contributions that are due, you can apply for a Social Security Health Card. By showing this card to your GP’s surgery, you will receive a £20 discount.

Please note, French nationals are eligible for a health card straight away due to an existing agreement between Jersey and France.

If you have not been in Jersey long enough to have a health card (6 months), you will have to pay the full cost of any prescriptions from your GP.

If you have a Social Security Health Card, the majority of GP prescriptions are free, however there are some exceptions.

A list of medications that are free is available from the Customer and Local Services Department. Or you can follow the link at the bottom of this page and then select ‘Doctors (GPs) fees, prescriptions and health cards’.

The General Hospital provides a wide range of procedures and treatments that you can access as a private patient. Visit your GP and they will refer you to a hospital consultant.

If you have private medical insurance, you should check with your insurance company that your policy covers Jersey. Or, you can choose to pay for your treatment.

The private patient unit has en-suite rooms with:

• • TVs featuring 200+ channels
  • free WiFi
  • daily consultant visits
  • flexible visiting hours
  • a dedicated nursing team
  • private chefs.

As a private patient, you must be aware of all charges relating to your care. For details of hospital charges, please contact the Private Patient Finance Office on +44(0)1534 444495.

For more information about the private patient service in Jersey and for a list of consultants, please follow the link at the bottom of this page. Go to ‘Hospital Wards and Departments’.

• Further information on Healthcare in Jersey