Knowing that you and your family’s health is in good hands is of paramount importance, so it’s reassuring to know that Guernsey has an excellent healthcare system to help ensure a better life for you.
Although it is not part of the NHS, Guernsey employs the UK’s best practice across its network of medical centres and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH).
Primary Care
In Guernsey, all primary care is provided on a private basis. Primary care constitutes a visit to the GP and this is partly funded by Guernsey’s Employment and Social Security Committee, with residents paying into an income-related contributions scheme. This system means that islanders find it easy to get an appointment with their doctor.
It’s important to register with the Social Security department as soon as you arrive. Once you receive your Social Insurance number, you’ll have access to a wide range of local health benefits, which will cut down on your medical costs.
There are 3 General Practice partnerships within Guernsey, offering access to a total of nine surgeries throughout the island. A visit to the GP must be paid for directly by the recipient, or through healthcare insurance schemes.
The healthcare practices are:
Healthcare Group Guernsey Queen’s Road Medical Practice Island Health
Secondary Care
In Guernsey, secondary or specialist healthcare is free of charge but is only available via a referral from a GP in primary care.
Within your Social Security contributions, residents are covered by Specialist Health Insurance Scheme and usually receive specialist care and treatment free of charge. The Medical Specialist Group (MSG) consultants provide the emergency and elective specialist medical services for the Bailiwick of Guernsey. These consultants provide the majority of medical services, including surgery, undertaken at the island’s hospital.
For more information on accessing these services:
States of Guernsey - Health & Social Care
Healthcare Insurance
Many residents choose to take out health insurance to ensure that they are covered for costs that fall beyond their health benefits. It’s a good idea to consider health insurance for the whole family, just to give you peace of mind that you’re covered for all eventualities.
Locate Guernsey can assist with any questions you may have about healthcare insurance.
Guernsey Emergency Services
Guernsey’s Accident & Emergency Department is on site at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. It’s important to remember that any emergency medical treatment you receive will incur a charge, this includes ambulance call-out.
Accident & Emergency Department Charges
The Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service is a charitable company, which operates the island’s only ambulance service. It operates 24 hours a day, providing accident and emergency cover and paramedic response, as well as a non-emergency patient transport service.
An ambulance call-out will incur a charge so it may be beneficial to take out an annual subscription:
St John Ambulance Subscription Scheme
Pharmacies
Guernsey has 15 pharmacies across the island, making access to prescription medication easy.
While you can easily obtain over the counter medication, you’ll need to see a doctor before the pharmacist can dispense prescription only medicines.
The current charge for prescription medicines is currently capped at £4.10 per item and some residents are exempt from charges – health benefits can also reduce costs.
It’s worth bearing in mind that pharmacists can also offer useful advice about minor illnesses and health conditions alongside suitable medication or treatment.
Dental Practices
In Guernsey, all dentistry care is provided on a private basis. There are 13 dental practices on the island, which can be found:
Children’s Health in Guernsey
There are a number of services available to help if you want to raise a family in Guernsey.
Health visiting is a universal service offered to all families with pre-school children. If you have a child, a Health Visitor will be assigned during the antenatal period or commence visiting a day or two after the midwife has discharged your baby. Health visitors offer developmental assessments for babies and young children at key points in their lives.
The School Health Service is committed to promoting and maintaining the health of school age children. The School Nurses offer a vaccination programme to all school students with routine and catch-up vaccinations available.
The Children’s Dental Service provides a dedicated dental service for pre-school and school age children with particular needs. As of January 2022, all children under the age of 18 years are eligible for one free dental check up each year with their private dentist.
Holistic Practitioners
Guernsey has a thriving natural health community, reflected in its wide breadth of on-island specialists.
From acupuncture, osteopathy and reflexology to meditation and yoga, islanders have access to many alternative health practitioners, who often work collaboratively to create the best outcomes for their patients. Guernsey also has some first-class nutritionists, physiotherapists and sports therapists.
Reciprocal Health Arrangement
As of 1st January 2023, Guernsey has a Reciprocal Health Arrangement with the UK that allows necessary healthcare to be provided to Bailiwick residents visiting the UK and vice versa. Necessary healthcare refers to treatment that is urgent or cannot wait until the patient has returned home.
For further information about the Reciprocal Health Arrangement, please visit: