JERSEY visitors could soon have to pay for emergency medical treatment, but Guernsey people who fall ill in Jersey will pay nothing.

When a new inter-island reciprocal health agreement is established, a ‘when in Rome’ approach is likely to be brought in.

As Guernsey residents pay for both emergency treatment by a doctor at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and £100 if an ambulance is called, the same will apply to Jersey visitors.

It’s a different story for Guernsey people travelling to Jersey.

People who live there do not pay for either service, so neither would Guernsey holidaymakers.

Jersey’s Health chief executive Mike Pollar, said the current rules where Jersey people received free treatment in Guernsey were likely to change as a result of a draft agreement under consideration.

A spokesperson for Guernsey’s Health and Social Services Department told the Jersey Evening Post that doctors at accident and emergency were employed by private practice.

Further operations, secondary healthcare or GP consultations arising from this would not be charged to the patient.