A contribution of �12 would be paid by the States under plans put forward by the Social Security Department.

The scheme would operate in a similar way to the grant available to those being treated at a doctor's surgery.

When that arrangement was introduced in 1991, A&E was specifically excluded because of concerns people would use it as an alternative to visiting their GP.

Nearly 16,000 islanders went to A&E last year, so if the proposals are accepted by Guernsey's States, they will cost the Health Service around �19,000 a year.

A similar change is planned for the Casualty Department of the Mignot Memorial Hospital in Alderney.