Healthcare in Guernsey

The big picture

From administrators to architects, from chefs to carpenters, from porters to human resources professionals…the range of people we recruit is far wider than you might imagine. And that’s not to mention doctors, nurses and social workers - across many different specialist fields.

Many of these roles are filled by current island residents. But with a limited population to draw on, Guernsey has always had to recruit qualified health and social services staff from overseas. Many nurses join us from the UK and Ireland, as well as the Middle East, the Philippines, India and Australia.

Those who have experienced the NHS in Britain quickly see that healthcare in Guernsey is run along very different lines - although our staff are trained to a similar standard.

Three general practices provide family doctor services on a private basis, with specialists and most GPs having access to hospital facilities. Fees for consultations are subsidised partly by the States (Guernsey’s government), with the remainder being the responsibility of the patients and their insurers.

A compulsory Specialist Health Insurance Scheme applies to island residents - with general hospital services funded by the States and acute specialist services covered by the scheme.