MikeJ

The EHIC provides for treatment for chronic conditions while in Spain eg chemotherapy and dialysis etc.
Has anyone arranged to have chemo under these rules and if so how do you go about arranging it?

Fred James

Luckily I have no experience of either, but I would have thought that the starting point is to talk to the people who currently administer the treatment as I would expect that they would need to be involved anyway.

uk_grenada

If you are using an EHIC you are by definition on a short visit, i could be wrong but i would have thought they would tell you to go home. Dialysis is definiteky a normally covered thing as its ongoing lifelong needed by visitors but chemo isnt a lifelong chronic treatment ?

Practically chemo is i thought a few nasty hospital visits followed by feeling aweful for a while and needing possibly GP help with side effects, and of course its often linked to radiotherapy. So - you might be able to be treated in the uk and convalesce abroad?

MikeJ

The EHIC info specifically mentions Chemotherapy as one of the conditions covered. If one was already on a chemo programme and wanted to spend time in Spain (and BTW there is no definition of temporary) then the treatment can be carried out in the EU under EHIC. I was just hoping that someone could help with the proceedure.

cermignano

The EHIC is not just for short visits. It is for temporary visits and these can last up to 90 days or more. As long as it is temporary and legal

snikpoh

But what does it cover? I can't see how chemotherapy can be considered 'emergency' treatment.

The NHS site states -

uk_grenada

spainrico

See here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthca...itors-to-spain

VEDShappy

Two examples.
1) A few years ago, son reported to hospital in Majorca, presented his EHIC complaining of a painful arm. Given an x-ray and told it was a hairline fracture, keep it in a sling and go to hospital on his return to the uk.
2) I know of someone who lives not far from me. Been here for a couple of years, never bothered registering. Went to the local health centre, EHIC in hand, to see a doctor. Diagnosis was cancer and in short order an operation was scheduled. This was carried out and deemed a success and a course of chemotherapy is now ongoing.
Take from this what you will.

bobd22

I suppose the last example would depend upon at what stage the cancer was when diagnosed? Was it safe to delay or safe to return? I would imagine it also depends on which hospital or doctor one initially attends for diagnosdiagnosis.
Re initial question I don't know about chemo but certainly for dialysis then I have personal knowledge of people that have done this under the EHIC. The UK hospital that treats them sort out the overseas dialysis etc it also included transport to and from the hospital to accommodation overseas. The UK hospitals have dedicated people to deal and assist with such things including the need to say visit relatives in other areas of the UK etc. I would suggest OP seeks advice and how to arrange at the hospital in UK treating the patient

MikeJ

Not quite the same as cancer! I am aware of the procedure and forms needed to seek new medical treatment and this is not the case. I am also reasonably clear on what is available I am specifically asking HOW. Of course I am aware that the UK team need to be involved but how does one identify and contact the Spanish end. I have seen posts about dialysis which seems to require a DIY approach and some which suggest that it can all be organised by the UK hospital. I was hoping for some personal experience rather than guesswork ☺

uk_grenada

bobd22

Mike I have not personally done this myself but do have first hand knowledge from people that have done this in relation to dialysis treatment for holidays within the EU. Everything was set up in the UK by the Dialysis liaison teams at the main dialysis unit they receive treatment in the UK. This included both arranging a unit for treatment at their chosen destination, transport to and from the unit, suitable accommodation obviously paid for by the patient. As far as I am aware the patient arranged their own flights etc but liaison team did where necessary make any changes required at the UK end to ensure their treatment fitted in with flights etc. The whole thing seemed to work very well and I know people that did this a number of times and never had any issues or complaints. In fact they commented on how good both the accommodation and treatment centres were, they were mainly treated on private rather than public facilities but at no cost to them other than flights and accommodation.