25% of doctor budget used on cars

Nearly 25% of the budget for a new out-of-hours doctors scheme in Jersey is being spent on chauffeurs.

About £18,000 of the £80,000 budget has been set aside to pay drivers to take doctors out on early evening and bank holiday home visits.

Mike Pollard, the head of Health and Social Services, said it was a good use of the money to ensure doctors got to see patients quickly.

The out-of-hours scheme is undergoing a six-month trial period.

About 70% of Jersey's GPs have signed up to the scheme, which started this month.