Sunday vaccination 'could cost GPs thousands'

Tuesday 29 September 2020

GPs could face thousands of pounds in medical indemnity insurance fees if the law is changed so vaccines can be administered on Sundays - but the Government won't be helping to pick up the bill.

Local GP Dr Mark Wilbourn raised the concern after the proposal was put forward this month to help facilitate the roll-out of free flu vaccines for over-50s and those in the ‘at risk’ category.

The suggested change in law, which is due to be debated at the next States Assembly meeting, would allow surgeries to apply to their Parish Constable to stay open on Sunday, with a £60 filing fee.  

But that won't be the only expense, according to Dr Wilbourn. If GPs are expected to help out with vaccination programmes by working on Sundays, it will end up costing them a lot of money, as they will have to secure additional indemnity insurance, he says.

Pictured: Dr Wilbourn said that GPs would be unlikely to work more sessions at short notice unless the Government covered the cost of additional indemnity insurance.

He explained: “Most GPs will not want to work a seven-day week. Some GPs already work a seven-day week, working for JDOC and their practices. This change in the law will just mean that surgeries have the option of opening on Sundays to fulfil a covid-19 vaccination contract that hasn’t been shared yet.  

“Working more sessions is likely to cost GPs thousands of pounds in medical indemnity insurance fees, so GPs are unlikely to be able to work more sessions at short notice, unless GoJ provides additional indemnity.”

When asked whether the Government was planning to assist with the cost of this additional indemnity, a spokesperson said it would be up to GPs.

“The Government of Jersey continues to work in partnership with GPs and pharmacists on the delivery of this year's flu vaccine. GPs operate as private businesses and it is under their responsibility to ensure they are protected by indemnity insurance," they said.

“The contract is in the final stages of detail and we reassure health practitioners that this is underway and will be completed within the next few days.”

Pictured: Pharmacies would also be able to administer vaccinations under the new laws. 

In response to this, Dr Wilbourn stated that the contract should have been sorted "half a year ago", pointing out that was when GPs had to order the influenza vaccines.

“We are informed that States officers are still working to produce a contract to cover this work,” Dr Wilbourn continued. “If GPs are expected to work additional duties to cover this work it will not be economically viable to take out additional indemnity cover until the contract covers this. 

“Influenza vaccine is likely to start arriving this week, but failure to produce a contract will mean that it cannot be administered yet.

“It’s a bit like walking into a garage and ordering a new car, then saying that you expect it to be on the forecourt in six months’ time, but you won’t agree to say how much you’ll pay for the car until after it has arrived. Then, with days to go, announcing that you expect to collect on a Sunday, when the garage is normally shut."

Pictured: Dr Wilbourn explained that although doctors have the influenza vaccine, a lack of contract means they cannot use it yet. 

The doctor stressed that "it is very important that influenza isn’t a problem this season with its similar symptoms to covid-19 and covid-19 wave 2 hitting parts of the UK now."

Listing his priorities, he marked out the following key factors.

1. "The flu vaccine needs to work - it does and now that we’ve gone to the quadrivalent variety it covers 99% of flu outbreaks.

2. The health environment needs to be right - we’re still waiting for the contract to enable administration.

3. People need to recognise its importance and request vaccination - I think they do because they’re already asking for it.

4. Somebody needs to give the vaccine safely - GP surgeries have the appropriate infrastructure in place to administer it Monday to Saturday.”