Whether you are visiting our beautiful Islands, or live here and are planning a trip abroad, here is some important information you should know about healthcare before you travel.
Healthcare information for visitors to the Bailiwick of Guernsey
Countries without a Health Agreement
Guernsey is independent of both the NHS and those holding European Health Insurance Cards (E.H.I.C.)
If you require medical assistant while visiting the Islands from a Non-Reciprocal Countries, you will need to pay for all medical services, including primary care, hospital accommodation, radiology, pathology, pharmacy and physiotherapy.
Services that incur a charge:
- Primary Care
- Hospital medical costs: hospital beds, radiology, pathology, pharmacy
- Prescriptions
- GP in the Emergency Department (ED) at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey or the Mignot Memorial Hospital, Alderney
- General Practitioner (GP) call outs
- GP at their Surgery
- Dentists in their Surgery or at ED
- Physiotherapy requested by the GP
- Ambulance journeys
Services that do not incur a charge:
Those visitors to the Bailiwick from Non-Reciprocal Countries who fall under the following categories do not have to pay:
- Prisoners at Les Nicolles Prison
- Immediately necessary hospital treatment for certain contagious diseases (Link to the contagious diseases list)
- Immediately necessary hospital treatment of individuals who are symptomatic of a sexually transmitted disease. HIV is not included expect for initial diagnostic testing and associated counselling
- Immediately necessary compulsory psychiatric treatment
- Military Personnel on active duty with Her Majesty's Service are eligible for free treatment
Repatriation
If you find yourself in the unthinkable position of losing a loved one which visiting the Island, there are some logistical issues that you will need to consider and require help with.
Repatriation costs can be costly, as there may be a need to charter a plane or for clinical staff to accompany you. It is important to understand that the visitor, or their insurer, will need to meet these costs.
The PEH offers a Spiritual Care Service, who are on hand to help and support however possible. Contact Rev Linda Le Vasseur, on Linda.LeVasseur@gov.gg, call on (01481) 220000, ext 4699 or 07781 458421, evenings or at the weekend.
Primary Care
If you need to see a GP while you are visiting, call one of the local surgeries (link to a pdf of GP surgeries in the Bailiwick). Each surgery has a 24 hour service (emergencies only after 6pm).
Prescriptions charges
You will be charged the full cost of any prescription item, which includes oxygen, if you need these while you are visiting.
Dental treatment
All dental surgeries are listed in the yellow pages of the local telephone directory. If you require a dentist outside of normal working hours, telephone the Princess Elizabeth Hospital switchboard (01481) 220000. The switchboard operator will be able to advise you of the dental practice "on call". All dentists are private practitioners and a fee will be payable by all visitors.
Emergency Services
The St John Ambulance and Rescue Service is Guernsey's only emergency ambulance service. The Ambulance Station can be contacted on (01481) 725211. If you require an ambulance, in an emergency, call 999 or 112, you will be taken to the ED at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. Please note, there will be a fee charged for ambulance transport.
Alderney Ambulance Station can be contacted on (01481) 823783.
Countries with a Bilateral Health Agreement
A Bilateral Health Agreement covers / assists the cost of essential medical treatment, (including some other health services and subsidised medicines) for visitors from Guernsey to countries covered by this agreement.
The Bailiwick will likely only provide immediately necessary treatment and will not necessarily cover all costs associated with treatment.
Countries that have an agreement with the Bailiwick of Guernsey:
- Australia
- Jersey
- Portugal
- Austria
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Sweden
- United Kingdom (see gov.gg/rha)
Repatriation
Repatriation costs are not covered under Bilateral Health Agreements.
Countries without a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement
If you require medical treatment while you are in a non-reciprocal country, and do not have private medical insurance, you will be responsible for paying the full cost for the care you have received.
- All Countries, with the exception of Australia, Austria, Iceland, Jersey, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom, will charge, in full, for any medical treatment received while visiting. These costs must be met in full by you or your Insurance company.
Repatriation
If you find yourself in the unthinkable position of losing a loved one while away from home, there are some logistical issues that you will need to consider and require help with.
Should you require special arrangements to return to Guernsey, repatriation costs will need to be met by you or your insurer.
Countries with a Bilateral Health Agreement
A Bilateral Health Agreement covers / assists the cost of essential medical treatment, (including some other health services and subsidised medicines) for Guernsey residents when travelling in countries covered by this agreement.
Countries that have an agreement with the Bailiwick of Guernsey:
- Australia
- Jersey
- Portugal
- Austria
- Iceland
- New Zealand
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
What healthcare is not covered?
The country in which you require healthcare is likely to only provide immediately necessary treatment and will not necessarily cover all costs associated with treatment.
What would be useful to take with me?
You may require proof of residency in the Bailiwick, e.g. your Guernsey Health Benefit Card (issued by the Committee for Employment and Social Security) and/or your passport or driving license
Always take enough medication with you for the duration of your stay and a few extra in case of delays in travelling
Repatriation
Repatriation costs are not covered under Bilateral Health Agreements.
