The Reciprocal Healthcare Arrangement (RHA) with the UK, which comes into effect on 1 January 2023, will allow necessary healthcare to be provided to Bailiwick residents visiting the UK and vice versa.
The arrangement will also allow certain treatments to be arranged in the other jurisdiction ahead of travel that will also be free of charge e.g., dialysis treatment.
Necessary healthcare refers to treatment that is urgent or cannot wait until the patient has returned home.
The RHA extends to the whole of the Bailiwick, so visitors to and residents of Sark and Alderney are also covered subject to some minor differences in processes due to differences in healthcare provision in each island.
Detailed guidance documents which provide information for travellers can be downloaded from this page.
To access necessary healthcare whilst in the UK, Bailiwick residents should ensure they have documentation which proves their eligibility to access healthcare under the RHA - such as passport, driving licence, or other proof of address/travel.
UK visitors to the Bailiwick should bring their GHIC/EHIC card with them.
Recognised providers in the Bailiwick of Guernsey
Any UK residents requiring necessary healthcare whilst in the Bailiwick must use a recognised provider.
A UK visitor receiving treatment at a non-recognised provider will be required to pay the full cost. The recognised providers in the Bailiwick are:
- The Committee for Health & Social Care/States of Guernsey
- The Medical Specialist Group LLP
- St. John's Ambulance and Rescue Service
- Queen's Road Medical Practice
- Healthcare Group
- Island Health
- Sarnia Medical
- Guernsey Therapy Group
- Island Medical Centre - Alderney
- Alderney Ambulance Service
- Sark Medical Centre
- Sark first responders
Travellers are still strongly advised to purchase travel insurance before travel, as the Arrangement does not cover everything that a person may end up needing whilst visiting (for example repatriation).
Kidney Dialysis
The Guernsey Renal Unit at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital can offer dialysis slots for visitors from the UK free of charge as part of the Reciprocal Healthcare Arrangement.
To arrange your dialysis slots, please contact the Renal Unit on 01481 711495 or renalunit@gov.gg and speak to the holiday coordinator to make a provisional booking. Please see download available below to some further information regarding holiday dialysis in Guernsey.
