People living abroad but still using our NHS

Mrst1405

I've lived in Spain for nearly 20 years and know several people that go to the UK hospital treatment. I really can't think why. I can usually get an appointment at the gp within a day. A hospital referral may take a couple of weeks. I get regular blood tests , ecg s etc. I've had 2 new knees with at home physio visits.
A friend from the UK had a medical emergency while back in the UK. She was rushed into hospital. They refused to take any payment despite her fessing up to living in Spain.

Emergency care is covered- but not routine and continued care and pre-arranged treatment, operations, etc.

CountessFosco

During the 44 years we lived outside the UK, this never even crossed our minds! How despicable of them to travel here and receive free NHS treatment. We paid €25.00 each time we went to the GP and then up to €50.-- each consultation with a specialist, a very small amount of which was reimbursed. We did however have special insurance again the phenomenal cost of hospitalisation, but this was because of where we lived, and how we accepted the situation.

Me too.

Repeats ad nauseum: If they live abroad and have an S1 form they are entitled to treatment by the NHS.

Mamie

Repeats ad nauseum: If they live abroad and have an S1 form they are entitled to treatment by the NHS.

Some posters don't have their listening ears on as Judge Judy would say. Keep trying Mamie

When I asked why the husband of an acquaintance came to the UK so frequently over many years for nhs treatment she said in Spain there is no aftercare. I wasnt clear what that actually meant.

A friend of mine has lived in France for over 30 years. During that time he has had two knee replacements and a serious fractured ankle put back together. I can't imagine him ever bothering to come back here for treatment.

My husband is currently going back and forth to Addenbrookes.
Last appointment asked for him to bring documents to prove that he was entitled to treatment. We had to take his passport. Utility bill and prove that we owned our house.
I will have a look for the letter, it has five different categories for different citizens and different criteria.

Where do you live Maya?

We live 10 miles from Addenbrookes, in the fens. Sorry l can't find the letter Fleurpepper. It was something like, UK citizens need to bring passport and or birth citificate, plus proof of residency. Proof of mortgage, tenancy etc.
UK citizens proof of 10years having lived here was the second plus all of above if lived abroad. Two others were connected to EU citizens. 5th was non EU citizens, you had to supply passport, indefinite leave to remain, proof pension, plus proof mortgage etc.
I was really surprised and asked my husbands consultant, he said yes it was correct. My husband has been a patient at Addenbrookes for the past eleven years.

thanks Maya- so you are UK resident. Just shows that they are really tightening the net, ruthiek will be pleased. Quite rightly so.

For those in possession of S1, they have to bring this in case of need.

Mamie

Repeats ad nauseum: If they live abroad and have an S1 form they are entitled to treatment by the NHS.

I thought S1 forms are only for some people who live in the EU. They're not valid for everybody who lives abroad.

We do bring our S1 forms Fleurpepper, but have also been told by the Overseas Health Team in Newcastle that a phone call to them by the hospital will confirm our entitlement.

Maya1

My husband is currently going back and forth to Addenbrookes.
Last appointment asked for him to bring documents to prove that he was entitled to treatment. We had to take his passport. Utility bill and prove that we owned our house.
I will have a look for the letter, it has five different categories for different citizens and different criteria.

I've lost count of the number of times I've been to Addenbrooke's over the last few months. I've never been asked for documentation, but I've had to declare every single time that I've lived in the UK and am eligible for treatment. I would hope that if anybody has been found out to be lying that they would be taken to court (although I doubt it).

growstuff you only get an S1 form if you are resident in an EU country and in receipt of the state pension, with the UK confirmed as your "competent state". It is a strict, documented process.

Maya Was your DH originally referred by a UK GP? I was and I remember that I had my documents scrutinised by the GP when I first registered.

Mamie

growstuff you only get an S1 form if you are resident in an EU country and in receipt of the state pension, with the UK confirmed as your "competent state". It is a strict, documented process.

Exactly! I know! So everybody from abroad isn't eligible.

Yes he was Growstuff but 11 years ago. I've found the attachment.
Hopefully here it is.

Maya1

Yes he was Growstuff but 11 years ago. I've found the attachment.
Hopefully here it is.

How strange! I've had almost weekly appointments at Addenbrooke's for a few months and have never been asked for any documentation, although I complete a questionnaire before every appointment, including surgery.

PS. I don't currently have a valid passport and I don't own my house, so it's probably just as well!

I will try again to post letter.

We are also a diminishing band. People who were already resident in the EU before the final Brexit implementation will get their S1 when they reach retirement. Those who moved afterwards will not. Our rights are protected by the withdrawal agreement. Given that I am sure the vast majority of us would rather be treated in our country of residence, I am not sure why people get upset about a few OAPs.

Sorry not a good copy. It says at the top the department of Heath Overseas Visitor Charging Regulations places a legal obligation on all NHS Trusts to establish that you are entitled to free NHS treatment.
Growstuff, l don't have a passport either and we don't have our deeds at home. My birth certificate is complicated as l am adopted so l would probably be in trouble for ID.

TwiceAsNice

So do I! I don’t know if it still happens but other nationals also flew here for treatment when they could get away with it. It’s wrong and unaffordable . Waiting lists for people who live here are so long now . Treatments available at local surgeries are also no longer available. For example I now pay privately for podiatry and ear syringing appointments which were freely available to me before. Also now have to have Diabetic retinopathy yearly check at another facility ( changes every year) instead of local GP.

Sorry I know this is off on a tangent but as you can’t drive after retinopathy test it causes a lot of inconvenience each time arranging transport etc.

As long as they have paid into the system, I cannot see a problem with this i.e. they are of pensionable age. Anyone younger than that should pay. However, I have more concerns with Tourist Patients that come to the UK just to have treatment (i.e. some years ago a lady came to have her triplets here) - I have just found the headlines which read "Nigerian woman, 43, racks up £500,000 NHS bill after giving birth to IVF quadruplets in London hospital after going into labour on flight to Heathrow - hours after she was turned away from the US" This was back in 2017 and is still going on. I know that the BMA ruled that they would NOT play a part on checking the immigration status of patients. They say it is a Border Control issue. Whilst I agree with this, it is not the Border Control who are treating them. The NHS are always shouting how they have insufficient funds, and it would be really interesting to find out how much of that budget is used to treating illegal and tourist patients.

growstuff

PS. I don't currently have a valid passport and I don't own my house, so it's probably just as well!

I very much doubt that owning your house is a criterion for receiving treatment. Surely proof of address is sufficient, be that mortgage or tenancy agreement?

When watching Saving lives at Sea - about rescuing a boatload of poorly immigrants - I couldn't help a mean thought entering my mind - they' will all get a medical chckup and I can't get attention from my GP for my painful condition

Not a mean thought. These people have made no contribution to our community and I deeply resent their getting free treatment while British born citizens have to queue and wait. Charity begins at home and not with aliens.

Expats (hate that expression) have made a contribution to the kitty for at least part of their lives.