fiona stanfield

I have been living in the USA since 1978 but I am thinking of moving back to the UK in the near future. The only thing that is holding me back is healthcare. How would I go about getting established back on the NHS system. Would it make any difference if I was to marry over there? this is the only thing that is stopping me from going back home, the healthcare side of it. Can anyone help me?

SanDiegogirl

As a Brit you will be able to access the NHS as soon as you set foot back in the UK. The NHS eligibility is based on residency.

BritInParis

Turn up and register with a GP. That's it.

fiona stanfield

BritInParis

It’s that simple. You will have a NHS number if you were born in the UK. Your new GP surgery will be able to search for you. If you can’t be found then you’ll just be given a new number.

durham_lad

Exactly as BritInParis says.

We moved back in 2016 after 29 years living in the USA. We did actually have our old NHS number but it was not useful to our local GP office. The GP office gave us a form each to complete, which we did in the waiting room and handed in, and the new numbers came through the post a couple of weeks later. I had a prescription I wanted to get transferred so made an appointment that same day for the following week and when I saw the Doc I hadn't received notice of my new NHS number but that didn't matter. The doctor simply looked at the prescription and said it was exactly what she prescribed for the same condition and did me a repeating prescription.

fiona stanfield

Thank you so much, you have helped me out a lot and I will take care of it as soon as I get back to the UK. this time I am coming for 9 weeks but I have a feeling that I am going to be moving back for good probably after the new year.

MidAtlantic

That is a different scenario. In your first post you made no mention of moving back temporarily so the answers do not relate to that. If you are going back just for nine weeks then you will not be covered by the NHS, apart from emergencies. If you have US insurance you should check what coverage that provides and, depending on the answer, you may need travel insurance.

The answers above relate to moving back permanently.

fiona stanfield

Yes I had no idea that I would change my mind and maybe come back for good. This is a trial as I have a long distance relationship and to make it work I am going to do this trial run and if all goes well I am going to come back to the USA and get my things in order and return to the UK. But I had to know first if I could sign up again for NHS and if I would have any problems if I came back to live. So it is no good if I get the forms now then? Or should I wait until I come back. I was just scared that they would not let me go back on the NHS if I moved back over to the UK. But I have a better perspective on it now, it does not scare me as much. Thank you.

durham_lad

Wait until you are back for good before signing up for the NHS as the form does require your permanent address and your statement that you are resident in the UK, your British passport is not proof that you are entitled to the NHS service at no charge.

By coincidence, today I received an appointment to my local hospital skin specialist department (referral from my GP to look at a suspicious couple of moles) and there is a separate sheet informing me that I will be asked if I am entitled to free NHS and may be asked to provide proof (e.g. passport + bank statement or utility bill to address of residence). I have been several times to this same hospital for other issues (sigh....) and have always been asked how long I've lived here but have never yet had to provide proof.

BritInParis

There's little point in registering with a GP until you have a permanent address. Your GP surgery will often request proof of address to ensure you are within their catchment area.

Only you want secondary care, e.g. being an in-patient at a hospital. Primary care, which includes seeing a GP, is free to all, including visitors.

fiona stanfield

Hi, so I have two questions.
Durham_lad, you stated that when I return permanently and pick up a form from the GP. I will have a permanent address but how to you get a statement showing that you are a resident in the UK? I also hope that everything goes ok with your visit to the specialist.
Will I have to get a bank account started also?
On this trip I am coming on next week I did buy travel insurance, and I also learnt after the fact that I could also use my military insurance. But if I had not have had these and I had got sick while I am over there could I have gone to see a GP? Thanks all!

durham_lad

fiona stanfield

I just got back from the UK on the 30th September after spending 9 weeks over there with my partner. I also had to use the GP 3 times while I was there so I am on record at that office. I am on my way back on a one way ticket at the beginning of December. I have already sent for my British passport so I am hoping that I do not have any problems with that. As soon as I arrive I will set up a bank account and I will also leave the one that I have over here open. I will also sign up with the local GP. I will take some of my medical records and my Rheumatology records and enough of my meds to last 3 to 6 months. I did accomplish one thing while I was over there. I managed to get my Nino number which I am happy about. I never drove before I left the UK back in 1978 so I guess I will have to learn how to maneuver the British roads. Last time I was on here I was told that I could drive on my US license for up to a year, should I also renew my international drivers license just to be on the safe side. I do have two questions. Will the doctors office renew my American medications or will I have to start from scratch with them? also How do you go about shipping a few odds and ends over to the UK and is it very expensive?
Thank you for listening and I look forward to any help I can get as this is a big move for me.

fiona stanfield

I just got back from the UK on the 30th September after spending 9 weeks over there with my partner. I also had to use the GP 3 times while I was there so I am on record at that office. I am on my way back on a one way ticket at the beginning of December. I have already sent for my British passport so I am hoping that I do not have any problems with that. As soon as I arrive I will set up a bank account and I will also leave the one that I have over here open. I will also sign up with the local GP. I will take some of my medical records and my Rheumatology records and enough of my meds to last 3 to 6 months. I did accomplish one thing while I was over there. I managed to get my Nino number which I am happy about. I never drove before I left the UK back in 1978 so I guess I will have to learn how to maneuver the British roads. Last time I was on here I was told that I could drive on my US license for up to a year, should I also renew my international drivers license just to be on the safe side. I do have two questions. Will the doctors office renew my American medications or will I have to start from scratch with them? also How do you go about shipping a few odds and ends over to the UK and is it very expensive?
Thank you for listening and I look forward to any help I can get as this is a big move for me.