Concerns about the costs of GP & dental care bills have been raised by Islanders and professionals alike.  Earlier this year, Dr Iona Heath, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners spoke critically of Jersey’s existing “pay-per-visit” arrangements, noting that “payment for attendance worsens health inequalities.”

 In response to growing public interest, the Consumer Council is setting up a working group to explore public perceptions relating to healthcare costs, to include dental, doctor and alternative therapy service provision and costs.

The Primary Healthcare Working Group will look to draw on a breadth of experiences from patients, charities, parents’ groups, young people as well as service providers including doctors, dentists and alternative therapists.  The group will aim to identify what consumers like and dislike when purchasing healthcare products and services.

The working group will aim to take structured debate forward to the decision making bodies and to work with the right people to get consumer concerns addressed.  In addition, the group will seek to acknowledge good trading practices that consumers do like.

Applications for membership of the user group are now open.  Following the development of the group’s membership, a formal response to the Health and Social Services 2012 White Paper will be the first job for the Consumer Council’s Primary Healthcare Working Group.

Group members are expected to join and contribute for a two year period of office. It is anticipated that the User Group will meet quarterly.

If you would like to join the working group and feel that you have something to contribute then get in touch via post or email with a letter to support you application, detailing the reasons you would like to become a group member, including your name, postal address, email address and telephone number no later than 16 May 2012.