Proposed introduction of specific pathology charges

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A decision made on 23 September 2009 regarding: Proposed introduction of specific pathology charges.

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2009-0055
Decision Summary Title :	Proposed Introduction of Specific Pathology Charges		Date of Decision Summary:	22 October 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Directorate Manager of Medicine		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Proposed Introduction Of Specific Pathology Charges		Date of Written Report:	21 October 2009
Written Report Author:	Directorate Manager of Medicine		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Proposed introduction of charges for General Practitioner test requests for specified services in Haematology and Clinical Chemistry.
Decision(s): The Minister agreed, subject to the approval of the States and the endorsement of the Minister for Social Security, to introduce a charge of £10/episode (i.e. request form) for General Practitioner test requests for specified services in Haematology and Clinical Chemistry with effect from 1st January 2010.
Reason(s) for Decision: The introduction of the proposed charge will aid the Health and Social Services Department to address the financial impact of primary care activity on Haematology and Clinical Chemistry and remain within its departmental cash limit for 2010 (as approved by the States in September 2009).
Resource Implications: The introduction of the proposed charge will be met from the existing Health Insurance Fund and is estimated to be approximately £750,000/annum in 2010. No additional manpower or finance is required to administer the proposed scheme by Health and Social Services and the Social Security Department.
Action required: Instruct the Directorate Manager of Medicine to liaise with the Social Security Department to implement an appropriate, effective and efficient administration process for this scheme by 1 January 2010 (the proposed implementation date of the charge). The Minister for Health and Social Services to lodge ‘au Greffe’ a proposition seeking approval for the proposed charge.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):