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The Government has pledged £1m of funding for the island’s GP services as part of its new healthcare model that prioritises care in the community rather than institutional settings.
The cash injection is part of the Jersey Care Model, which the Government claims will create savings worth £874m over 15 years.
Express has asked exactly how the funding will be used, and is awaiting a reply.
Announcing the funding commitment today, the Government shared data showing that there has been a less than 3% year-on-year growth of attendances at the Emergency Department at the Jersey General Hospital, which it said shows how Primary Care services have managed to sustain good levels of access for patients.
The data also shows that while more and more people are being treated for mental health conditions in Jersey than previously, the number of people going into mental health facilities like Orchard House or being detained there under the Mental Health Law, remains at standard levels.
The Government say this indicates that a "great deal" of care is happening at GP level.
Pictured: The Jersey Care Model's aim is to bring more services out of the hospital, working within the community instead.
The announcement marks a shift from last year, when a Scrutiny report observed that GPs initially did not feel that the Government had properly engaged with them when drawing up the Jersey Care Model.
James Mair, of the Primary Care Body, said that the £1m investment was "welcome news for GPs in Jersey as we look to the future."
"GP colleagues have worked tirelessly throughout 2021 to continue to deliver expert, personal care for their patients," he added.
"We are pleased that the future work we will do, and the significant contribution which GPs make has been acknowledged in this way, as well as the part they are playing and will continue to play in the Jersey Care Model, which is based around community care being accessible to all Islanders.
"Primary Care is central to the Jersey Care Model, and GPs want to continue developing even stronger Primary Care."
Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf commented: "GPs are a critical component and enabler of the Jersey Care Model.
"There is clear evidence that GPs have provided high levels of primary care activity this year to ensure that Hospital services are protected so that all available capacity is utilised for covid recovery plans.
"The outcomes delivered in 2021 by GPs are an excellent baseline for continued delivery of the Jersey Care Model in the future."
Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf said that GPs were "critical" to the Jersey Care Model.
Caroline Landon, Health's Director General, commented: "We have seen considerable pressure placed upon all health and care providers in Jersey over the past 18 months.
"Many of these pressures have impacted upon Out of Hospital services, and most notably the island's valued GP Primary Care services.
"Despite challenges within the Primary Care/GP workforce, GP colleagues have delivered high quality services with timely access for patients which has delivered the anticipated positive impact on secondary care.
"This joint working with Primary Care which commenced when GPs stepped up at the start of the pandemic to staff our Urgent Treatment Centre has continued throughout 2021 as GP colleagues have worked alongside HCS to start the transformation of our Healthcare system so that the care we deliver for Islanders is centred on their need and is driven by quality and outcomes."
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