Health Minister brings in hospital 'bed-blocking' charge

Jersey's Health Minister has brought in a 'bed blocking' charge for hospital patients.

Tom Binet has signed an Ministerial Order, introducing a day fee for people who remain in hospital after they have been declared fit to be discharged.

During today's States sitting, Deputy Inna Gardiner asked an urgent question of why charges of over £500 per day were brought into force by  Ministerial Order, without prior Assembly scrutiny or public awareness.

The Minister says it a makes sense.

"It is not a charge for health care, it is a charge for accommodation and food.

"When a patient has been deemed fit to be discharged and suitable accommodation and a care package has been arranged for them, the charge will be introduced."

He described the move as 'generous':

"They have got five days grace before the charge is implemented.

"Last year we lost 1,000 bed nights from people choosing not to take up the arrangements that had been made for them.

"It is very often the case that people do not want to go and spend time in a care home that is not the one of their choice while they wait to get the one of their choice.

"They feel it is simpler to stay in a hospital bed.

"It we had a surplus of hospital beds and a surplus of money, it perhaps wouldn't matter.  But we have a shortage of hospital beds and people are at home in pain waiting for operations.

"So I make no excuse for this.  In fact, I think it is the right thing to have done.

"The reason I introduced it by order is because I can. I didn't think, on something as sensible as this, it was worth wasting everybody's time."

A £502 charge for each 24-hour period will come into effect on 30 March 2026.

Charges will not apply to people experiencing mental health difficulties; who lack capacity; who have exceptional personal circumstances or where there are concerns about their safety.

The Minister was then pressed on whether he is planning any more imminent charges, and revealed plans to make travel from Jersey to the UK for medical treatment means-tested have been shelved. 

"We have considered the medical travel issue and given the amount of angst it has caused, and the relatively small amount of money (it would generate) we are not going to take any further action."

"We are going to introduce eligibility criteria for people coming from areas where they should have health insurance - so we can have access to people's insurance money if they have emergency care here."