People living in Jersey are required to pay for most healthcare, external, including GP appointments, non-emergency hospital treatment, dentistry, pharmacists and ante-natal clinics.

Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham said she was pleased to introduce the new support.

She said: “I’m grateful to general practice for working with us to deliver this important expansion.

“Together, we are working to strengthen a high-quality, accessible and flexible primary care system for all islanders.”

Dr Gordon Callander, from the island’s Primary Care Body, said practices were doing all they could to minimise the impact of costs for patients.

“It is great that the important work of practice nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics and pharmacists is recognised by Employment, Social Security and Housing ​to allow the evolution of services offered to patients,” Dr Callander added.