New rights to foreign healthcare welcomed

Chris Davies MEP

A Rochdale Liberal Democrat Euro-MP has welcomed a move to allow people to travel to other EU countries for operations if the NHS is too slow.

The European Parliament has accepted new rules that will allow people to travel to other EU Member States to undergo medical treatment, if their home country isn’t capable to provide much needed medical care within an appropriate timeframe.

Patients will be able to have the treatment paid for or claim back the money if they pay upfront.

The new rules are due to take effect in 2013.

Chris Davies MEP who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the Environment and Public Health Committee of the Parliament said: “This new system will protect our NHS but provide options for people who need treatment.

“NHS hospitals will get the full costs of treating other EU nationals paid and Rochdale people will have the option of travelling if that is what it takes to get treatment.”

UK citizens who fall ill abroad can already get emergency care across the EU with their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

The new scheme expands this to 'elective' treatment' when a particular treatment can be provided faster or more expertly abroad.

NHS doctors will have to give prior authorisation for treatments abroad that can be reimbursed, patients will only be entitled to reimbursement for treatment that their home health authority would normally provide, and travel or hotel costs cannot be claimed back.