New healthcare agreement between Jersey and UK signed

Thursday 25 May 2023

Essential healthcare services for people travelling between Jersey and the UK will continue because of a new agreement which is due to be implemented today.

The Reciprocal Health Agreement aims to ensure that individuals from both jurisdictions can continue to receive necessary emergency treatment without incurring healthcare charges.

The new RHA applies to individuals visiting the host country up to six months, while the previous one – which was signed on 1 April 2011 – only covered healthcare for up to three months.

As with the previous agreement, certain costs – such as specific follow-up treatments and travel expenses – may not be covered under the agreement.

This applies to cases where there is no need to send a patient off-Island or when treatment can be provided locally, according to the government. 

The latest RHA was signed by Health and Community Services Chief Officer Chris Bown and Director of Trade at the UK’s Health and Social Care Department, Ed Moses.

Mr Bown said: "The RHA further strengthens the bond between Jersey and the UK, ensuring that those in need of emergency healthcare can receive the treatment they require without financial worry.

"We are pleased to collaborate with our counterparts in the UK to continue making healthcare more accessible and efficient for our residents and visitors."

Islanders studying in the UK will benefit from the RHA as the agreement covers local students for the full duration of their course.

HCS in Jersey will continue to cover the cost pre-authorised care for treatments in the UK that cannot be provided in Jersey.