Your old GP could be in serious trouble for treating you when he knows you are resident in Spain. The UK pays Spain for your treatment, and if your Dr treats you in UK, they are paying twice.

Only if Daveinspain is a UK state pensioner.

Whatever his status , if he is not resident in UK, where eligibility is residence based for free care,he cannot, at the moment, visit his former GP as if he lives in the UK.
Bob 22-why did you approve of Dave's post?

The huge bureaucratic machine involved in swapping the paperwork involved in the international implementation of the European health agreements might well cost nearly as much as the treatment involved.As for my UK GP. I expect the NSA are on the case,but who knows what they'll charge the UK government for the transcripts of our phone conversations

Because I happen to agree that if the EU was joined up as it should be one would get health cover in all EU Countries quite simply. At the moment and it may just be a UK thing who knows not me. If you are say 60 retired in UK after working from 15 and living in EU outside Spain you get no EHIC. However in UK still not paying NI as retired you are covered even get free prescriptions. Sorry but my view is that is not joined up thinking. My view you are entitled to disagree as I am entitled to hold that view which I think Dave and possibly others do.

Unless Daveinspain is a state pensioner the UK is NOT paying for his treatment twice.

This is the second time you have got it wrong on this thread. Are you sure you know enough to contribute?

And this from someone who wrote on June 26 the that he didn't know if the EHIC Dave was holding would do! Do YOU know what you 're talking about? Apparently not!
I have not got anything wrong in my last post. Dave did not make it clear whether he was a state pensioner.
If he is not a state pensioner, he still cannot visit his former Dr for routine health matters. As I said, free care in NHS is residence based. Whether you've paid in for endless years doesn't count.
There is talk of changes to this situation, but no doubt it will take time!

I think we have been down this road sometime back. Personally I am UK resident so it is not an issue for me. However I seem to remember that there was quite a few that did think the current system used by UK was unfair for the many that have through their working lifetimes NI contributions put a lot into a system they find themselves barred from. But yes fairness means nothing as it is the rules in place that count.

Exactly, and there are plenty out there abusing the system.one day someone will slip up and find themself with a bill for their treatment/operation in the UK.

Yes no doubt they will that is the risk they take. However there are circumstances when essential treatment is provided free in the UK for anyone irrespective of residency or insurance . This Citizens Advice link gives full information for those that are unsure. Citizens Advice - NHS charges for people from abroad

Taking a risk and bucking the system now and again is fun.......and doesn't really harm anybody!
But I take onboard there will always be those who feel safer living in an Orwellian State.

The part quoted in red.
My thought is that he can visit his GP. Whether he ought to visit is another matter. I know that I would.

"Your old gp could be in serious trouble....", for goodness sake the vast majority of gp's could run rings around the bureaucrats, "serious trouble" is the over statement of the year.

I'm sure we could all sit down and list a dozen stupid laws in the UK and in Spain that people break on a regular basis because they are so stupid they need to be broken. I know a few people who are so super-honest they hurt themselves and others. They are unpleasant individuals and I avoid them, if I can.