Nothing obvious, however they should be able to identify it as a Expat card from the numbers on it (assuming they actually check!)

Yeah they actually checked. Let me get back to my mum, might take a while, appreciate the response here and will write back.. thanks.

As from January 2016 the UK stopped issuing EHIC cards for British pensioners resident in Spain who require treatment in the UK. You do not need it for the UK as by law you are now entitled to medical care and can even pre arrange operations, specialist appointments etc. You still need a EHIC card for other European countries.

She is English, she is living abroad, but drawing a UK pension. Regardless of where she actually resides, while in the UK she gets treated as if she lived in the UK - end of.

True so long as she actually resides in the EU

Exactly and EHIC's have nothing whatsoever to do with it so don't waste another second on trying to get one !

Her UK NI number should tell anyone who needs to know all they need to know.