There are currently no plans for patients to be charged to see their GP, the Health Minister assured MHKs.
But Howard Quayle confirmed that charging for some health and social care services that are currently free may have to be considered in the future.
And following a question from one backbencher, he gave a commitment in the House of Keys that when reviewing alternative models for healthcare provision, the issue of charging for GP appointments would be included.
That prompted a swift rebuke from Lib Van leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) who described the rationale behind it as ‘fatally flawed’.
But Mr Quayle replied: ‘Please do not think that we are going to do this – we have not even discussed it!
‘This is all hypothetical discussion. I am just responding to a question from an Hon. Member and trying to point out the facts.’
The issue was raised by Onchan MHK Zac Hall who asked the Health Minister what plans he has to introduce a charge, either nominally or through a means test, for GP appointments.
Mr Quayle said: ‘The current system of provision is not sustainable and future health and social care models may need to include charging for some services which are currently free at point of use.
‘With regard to the actual issue of charging for GP appointments, this is an area that I’ve not specifically looked at.’
The Minister said, however, there were increasing concerns among GPs about rising numbers of patients who failed to attend pre-booked appointments – and the idea of charging for these ‘do not attends’ should not be disregarded.
He added: ‘While I can confirm there currently are no plans to introduce a charge for GP appointments, either nominally or by means testing, I will give a commitment that when I am reviewing alternative models for healthcare provision, I will ensure this area is included, and I will be happy to take any options out to the public for their views.’
Mr Hall said the number of exemptions needed for the ‘elderly, the vulnerable, the poorest and the sickest’, meant that the idea charging for GP appointments ran the risk of being counter productive in terms of addressing missed appointments.
Mrs Beecroft said: ‘The rationale for introducing a charge for everybody because of some irresponsible members of the public who are costing the service a lot of money is actually flawed.
‘I can see the rationale for charging people who have made an appointment and then do not bother to turn up for it. But to charge everybody en bloc because of a minority - the rationale for that just seems fatally flawed.’