So I'm popping back to the UK for 23 days, leaving in March. If I get sick, have toothache kinda thing, while over there, do I just go and see my original GP/Dentist or is there a different method now that I'm no longer a full-time UK resident?

You haven't mentioned if your GP and Dentist were NHS or private?

You should be able to claim any emergency medical costs off your travel insurance

As you are no longer a UK resident, then you need insurance, even though you are a UK citizen, you have to be RESIDENT for free treatment.

Okies, ta

I am not entirely sure. I am going back to the UK in May. I now live in Australia and am a permanent resident but I also still retain a UK address. But the NHS dentist I was previously registered with, I think they would have taken me off their books by now, seeing as my last visit to them would have been March 2009 (I paid $48 for a root canal treatment that would have been very expensive here) and as there are always waiting lists to be on an NHS dentist's books, I couldn't see them still keeping me on there after so long. As far as my doctor is concerned, I think they would keep me on their indefinitely but whether I would still be classed as a UK resident because I still have my home over there which my daughter is living in and which I will stay at when I go back in May, I don't know. I haven't been to a dentist since I've been here as it is so expensive but used to go every six months in the Uk.

I know there is a sort of temporary/traveller free treatment that UK citizen's can use, but saying that, not sure if you actually have to be a resident, as you have stated. I think Jen should be ok whilst on hols, because can't the aussies receive free treatment whilst holidaying in the UK?

I'd just front as my Brother

Nice!

Thing is, when were you ever asked to prove you were a citizen/or not a resident? Probs never! Who's to say you haven't landed yourself back and have no intention of going back to Oz.

If you are not a UK resident, then using the NHS because you still have an address there and haven't bothered to tell your doctor you have moved, is a fraudulent use of the NHS. The NHS is for UK residents only, but, unfortunately there are many thousands of people who have kept UK adresses so they can continue to claim benefits, contiunue to use the NHS when over there etc. All this is legally fraud, and should anyone decide to report you, then you could be in serious trouble. It's getting so bad that the UK has set up specific telephone numbers in many countries that people can use to report people they believe are claiming and using the UK systems illegally. You decided to move from the UK, so must be prepared to abide by the rules.
Sorry, rant over..

I've no intention of using the NHS fraudulently, I just asked what happens if/when I get sick, EEEK! LOL

Have travel insurance, use that..

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/...velling/uk.jsp

Hope this helps Jen.

Great, thanks Alf, and Mike, of course I'm going to have travel insurance, it'd be foolish not to! lol