keithm2576

I have searched the forum and read a couple of closed threads on this subject. Not sure if this question has been answered since the changes to who can access NHS.

My wife & I are both in our 50s and returning to UK after 30 years in Aus to look after her 92 year old father. We will be living there for as long as it takes, but certainly more than a year and probably many years.

We are both UK citizens with UK passports, both born in UK to UK born parents.
We have both worked in the UK too. My wife has all her records such as NI number and NHS number. She is I believe registered with the same GP as her father. I will have an NI number and will get hold of this but am not registered with a GP.

I am troubled by the changes to the qualifications for getting NHS treatment. Will we qualify for immediate NHS cover? Or should we get international medical insurance? I think our current Aus health insurance would cover us in the short term.

michali

You should have no problem registering or re-registering st a GP's practice. Just take your passports and proof of address with you as they sometimes ask for that and there is no doubt that they are tightening up. However you are both entitled to free access to the NHS as soon as you arrive. We had to be re-registered but it only took a few days for that to be processed.

not2old

certain prescriptions may not be covered under the NHS

You may want to also check out

http://www.boots.com/en/Pharmacy-Hea...nd-exemptions/

The prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) - Health costs - NHS Choices

Help with prescription costs - Health costs - NHS Choices


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Pulaski

Exactly as Michali said, you're covered immediately if you are returning to take up residence. Proving that would typically mean buying or leasing a home, but you may not even be asked to prove that, at least not yet.

The only circumstance under which I believe you might be subject to more scrutiny is if either of you immediately sought expensive treatment, but even then, if you are British citizens who have taken up residence in the UK you are perfectly entitled to do that - there are plenty of expats who return to the UK to live in old age to obtain medical treatment which would be expensive overseas.

Personally I would caution against trying to use any Australian insurance as it might just make you look like you're just visiting, not taking up residence.

scot47

Note that entitlement to NHS treatment is based on RESIDENCE. There is no linkage to payment of NI Contributions. That is a common misconception, probably arising from the way things were pre-1948. National Insurance Contributions can give entitlement to certain benefits such as State Retirement Pension but do not impact on entitlement to Health Care.

holly_1948

Generally speaking, a bank statement, printed and sent through post office mail to the address where you are living (even temporarily) is proof of address. Keep both the printed statement and the envelope it came in.

Editha

My husband asked for referral for expensive treatment within weeks of our returning to the UK in 2014. No questions were asked.

morpeth

I read reports raising questions about heath tourism but in practice seems reasonable demonstration of residence all that is needed. Maybe hospitals ask more questions.

not2old

OP, from your other thread you mentioned 'Humira' is a drug that you take in OZ, which from a google search appears is not covered by conventional NHS prescription issued from a GP.

There are folks that have posted on the web, in places that they received those meds issued by a specialist/consultant prescription for free on the NHS

http://ask.metafilter.com/260351/Cos...mira-in-the-UK

https://www.drugs.com/answers/how-di...he-447808.html

Maybe before going to the UK get that doctors report along with a referral & if possible also maybe the meds to take with you.

On those xrays, no need for 'film type ones' any longer, they can be converted & download to a CD so the medical folks in the UK can plug & play


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durham_lad

When we returned in May last year after 29 years in the USA we found registration extremely easy. We registered in the first week and don't recall what type of proof of residence we needed. We were given a form to complete as we didn't have an NHS number.

I made a doctor appointment for the following week as I had a prescription I wanted transferring. The doctor looked at the prescription details on the bottle and said that they prescribe the same drug for the condition I have, and wrote a repeating monthly prescription which I carried to the Boots chemist next door to the surgery.

The following week we each received an invitation my mail for a colon screening. I figured that they knew we were returning from Texas so must be full of it.

keithm2576

Thanks everyone, this puts my mind at rest. I was worried after reading about the changes due to "medical tourists" or whatever it's called. Realised later that I was reading this on an International medical insurance website who tried to convince me I need to buy coverage! Checked on UK sites such as NHS and these seem to confirm that we will be covered although there seemed to be some caveats to cover their backsides.

morpeth

I had similar experience, though there does seem to be a few caveats on hospital stays- my impression is it depends a lot on circumstances and particular hospital.Seems if you own or rent property,have bank account and UK phone number all o.k.

Elgin1983

Interesting documentary about this very topic on the BBC this week: whack on the vee pee enn: BBC iPlayer - Hospital - Episode 4

For the OP, I suspect the fact that you're actually British will help divert suspicion of health tourism.

scot47

I registered with GP when I came back. I went tooled up with passport and umpteen proofs of address. I did not need anything like that. I suspect it varies, but generally speaking seems to be painless.


The NHS is wonderful - and only those who have lived in societies where "Cash is King" can appreciate that !

durham_lad

We also registered with no problem at all within the first few days of moving back last year. We also did not have an NHS number but it wasn't an issue at all.

Since then we've been impressed at how proactive they have been in diagnostic tests. We've both had invitations to do screenings for bowel cancer, which we did, and my wife for a pap smear and mammogram, and most recently a heart checkup. (They drew blood last week and next week we go meet with a doc to get the results plus blood pressure and a chat. I think it is mainly looking at cholesterol, triglycerides etc but will know more after the visit). I noticed on the door of the offices going in that they are calling on all men age 65 and older to make an appointment for an aneurysm scan. Something to look forward to in 3 years