NHS when returning for a holiday or going back

[caramac]

We have just returned from a visit to the UK. and Mrs CDU went to see what the go was with a Docs visit. 15 pounds to see the Doc, plus the full cost of any meds required. Compare that to the BIL's visit to the Doc when out here last Christmas, when is cost him nothing for the visit to the Doc, but the meds did cost. The UK Doc said that he would only treat overseas visitors as a private patient, reciprocal agreement or not.

 

 

That's part of the reciprocal arrangement. A walk in clinic is different, as is emergency care or A&E. Most GPs will see you, but it's at their discretion for routine stuff.

[caramac]

Here in Canberra, it applies to the whole time the surgery is open -- read my earlier posts in the thread. Maximum I've ever had to wait to see my and the kids Doc is 40 mins.

 

It can be like that here. If there's a DNA you'll be fitted in.

Of course many GP surgeries here have a much larger population to serve than Canberra, especially in big cities, but I think we get a pretty good service.

It's unlikely to get better though as GPs leave and aren't replaced..

[Celt Down Under]

As a private patient £15 is good value.

 

As an overseas visitor in Australia, 0 dollars was even better value for my BIL. Point I was making, is that it does not seem to be reciprocal if it is only working one way.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

I can go into our walk in clinic and be seen but if I want to see my GP I can't expect them to be available just when I want to see them.

We have 24 hour medical centres up in FNQ and you can walk in 24/7 and be seen. They even do things like stitches etc.

As mentioned I can see my GP anytime any day just by calling, although I admit I'm a one off lol. Normal people call, make an appointment and are usually seen within 48 hours, if they are happy to see one of the other doctors they can be seen same day.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Emergency care is free here too. If you were in the same situation, you would be treated without question.

Its really not difficult, although there is a lot of confusion within the system about what the rules are, mostly due to a lack of training.

Prescription charges are for outpatient prescriptions, so make sure you bring anything you think you'll need with you. Drugs given in hospital for any emergency treatment should be free. There is also the option of a prepayment certificate (I'm not sure if these are available for overseas visitors though, and haven't got time to check now) which costs around £30 for three months, I think. That's a pretty good 'insurance' if you think you might need extra outpatient meds.

The rules are pretty much the same as for visitors to Australia.

Thanks hun that sounds more reassuring. As you say it sounds to be down to staff. The prepayment certificate sounds a good deal. Cheaper than what we pay now.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Read my post, I wasn't referring to you.

So who were you referring to or was it a general quote

[Guest The Pom Queen]

 

My parents stayed with us recently for a month ( from a different area of uk). They just filled in a temporary resident form and were seen at my GPs for their flu jabs.

@Bound4Tassie thanks for that, I wonder if expats going back could get away with it.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

As an overseas visitor in Australia, 0 dollars was even better value for my BIL. Point I was making, is that it does not seem to be reciprocal if it is only working one way.

Was your BIL at a bulk bill practise?

£15 is cheaper than what my new Dr charges ($75) per visit.

[Phoenix16]

well all I can say is that I am wholly thankful for the OZ health care system. I, as a POM, have quickly acclimatised to to 'you pay for things' system over here, and can honestly say that to call my GP and get to see him the same day is more than worth the $70 minus the Medicare rebate. To take my daughter to the GP, to find out something is very seriously wrong, to get a referral to a consultant who said 'no appointments until end of August', to fax through the medical reports and be told, yes it seems urgent but the Specialist has no clinics this week, it will be next week at the earliest , to get a phone call to say he will see her tomorrow morning, to get a surgury booked for 2 weeks later, YES, I DO COMMEND the aussie health care system, and yes I feel bitter knowing under the NHS it would have been antibiotics for a further 12 months before the word specialist even came into the loop.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Phoenix16

[Guest The Pom Queen]

well all I can say is that I am wholly thankful for the OZ health care system. I, as a POM, have quickly acclimatised to to 'you pay for things' system over here, and can honestly say that to call my GP and get to see him the same day is more than worth the $70 minus the Medicare rebate. To take my daughter to the GP, to find out something is very seriously wrong, to get a referral to a consultant who said 'no appointments until end of August', to fax through the medical reports and be told, yes it seems urgent but the Specialist has no clinics this week, it will be next week at the earliest , to get a phone call to say he will see her tomorrow morning, to get a surgury booked for 2 weeks later, YES, I DO COMMEND the aussie health care system, and yes I feel bitter knowing under the NHS it would have been antibiotics for a further 12 months before the word specialist even came into the loop.

I know exactly where you are coming from, I saw my new Dr on Tuesday needed to see two new specialists I called up yesterday, I'm booked in for tomorrow to see one specialist and the other specialist will be performing surgery on the 29th and that's only because I asked for the delay. Hope your daughter is ok

[amibovered]

So back to my question from earlier.

Should I just show my British Passport. Does it help being a citizen if not a resident ?

 

Am I better off not saying I live in Australia but just show my british passport ?

 

Nationality is irrelevant, you have to be resident to be entitled to treatment on the N.H.S.

[Bungo]

well all I can say is that I am wholly thankful for the OZ health care system. I, as a POM, have quickly acclimatised to to 'you pay for things' system over here, and can honestly say that to call my GP and get to see him the same day is more than worth the $70 minus the Medicare rebate. To take my daughter to the GP, to find out something is very seriously wrong, to get a referral to a consultant who said 'no appointments until end of August', to fax through the medical reports and be told, yes it seems urgent but the Specialist has no clinics this week, it will be next week at the earliest , to get a phone call to say he will see her tomorrow morning, to get a surgury booked for 2 weeks later, YES, I DO COMMEND the aussie health care system, and yes I feel bitter knowing under the NHS it would have been antibiotics for a further 12 months before the word specialist even came into the loop.

 

Yep me to, the UK could learn a lot from the Aussie system. I am in generally good health, but I dread using the NHS even for something routine, the hours spent dialling and trying to get through on the phone, the lack of available appointments and yet you have to have an appointment to get an asthma inhaler, which could be bought over counter in Australia! I would hate to be seriously ill in the UK and have to use the NHS, even if you want to access private care you have to run the gauntlet of this archaic and broken system first.

 

Most people go to work, are not sick very often and can afford to spend a few dollars on a rare doctors visit and then it makes things so much easier for everyone, themselves for a start plus it means elderly, children and very sick could then access the free at point of use services more easily. I think that bulk billing should be left for those that need it, unfortunately British are so accustomed to not paying at point of service that they often refuse to on principle. I think charging working people for GP appointments would do wonders for the NHS.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Nationality is irrelevant, you have to be resident to be entitled to treatment on the N.H.S.

But my question is, how do they know you aren't resident. If you walk in to a Drs and have a strong English accent they aren't going to think you are a foreigner are they?

[Suzukiscottie]

But my question is, how do they know you aren't resident. If you walk in to a Drs and have a strong English accent they aren't going to think you are a foreigner are they?

 

They will in Kilmarnock! :-)

[Guest The Pom Queen]

They will in Kilmarnock! :-)

:laugh: ok you got me there

[Keith and Linda]

So back to my question from earlier.

Should I just show my British Passport. Does it help being a citizen if not a resident ?

 

Am I better off not saying I live in Australia but just show my british passport ?

 

I thought I answered this parley, the answer NO! you have to prove your residency. But I would suspect how it is administered will vary greatly from place to place and even at the same place depending on staff!

I have to say though we have not had any trouble seeing a GP or treatment at Dr's or hospital, it is just a question of being prepared for some form filling and providing proof of residency.

[Keith and Linda]

But my question is, how do they know you aren't resident. If you walk in to a Drs and have a strong English accent they aren't going to think you are a foreigner are they?

 

Big brother is watching!

[Parley]

I thought I answered this parley, the answer NO! you have to prove your residency. But I would suspect how it is administered will vary greatly from place to place and even at the same place depending on staff!

I have to say though we have not had any trouble seeing a GP or treatment at Dr's or hospital, it is just a question of being prepared for some form filling and providing proof of residency.

 

You did. But I had 1 Yes, 1 No and 1 Don't Know so wasn't overly helpful.

 

I suspect you are right though they would want to know an address and some sort of id.

Not having any UK drivers licence or something could be a problem.

[Keith and Linda]

You did. But I had 1 Yes, 1 No and 1 Don't Know so wasn't overly helpful.

 

I suspect you are right though they would want to know an address and some sort of id.

Not having any UK drivers licence or something could be a problem.

 

To Linda & I, it is best to be honest and upfront, we explain things and try and provide what they require, as well as informing them of things they do not know, for example same Dr's, different holidays, and different receptionists, one knew what to do, the other we told her what she had to do (she did go and check it out). The proof of residency was only asked for at the Hospital A&E and this was done once we got back to Aus, just scanned and forwarded rates notice, got a letter back say fine and we are entitled to free healthcare (we keep that letter with us on travels now)

All in all we have not found it a drama!

[Keith and Linda]

Or I wonder if we could say we live in another town and are visiting friends? I wonder if the system is linked up. I can't remeber UK doctors ever asking for residential proof when you visit

 

Stay honest and truthful :notworthy: or:policeman:

[Parley]

I was trying to find out whether there is any advantage being a British citizen rather than an Australian only in this regard.

But is seems there is no benefit in having the British citizenship if you are not a resident, for medical treatment.

[ramot]

But my question is, how do they know you aren't resident. If you walk in to a Drs and have a strong English accent they aren't going to think you are a foreigner are they?

 

From my experience, you can only be registered with your local Dr./surgery in England, not sure if the same in Wales etc. so when you go as a visitor to see a Dr. You are asked where is your normal Dr. as you can't mix and match as you can here.

It can help to know your national insurance number.

 

When I went back a few years ago I had had a bad fall enroute and had had an operation, so needed to be seen as soon as I got to my son's. I had no trouble seeing his Dr. Wasn't charged, however it would then have been at least 6 weeks to see a NHS specialist. The point being that I had to have 3 long screws removed before the 6 weeks, and then needed physio

We always have travel insurance which I advise everyone to get, so saw a specialist instantly, and claimed everything back.

 

My husband on the same trip, stupidly didn't have enough meds with him, so saw a Dr, was charged for the visit and paid full price for his meds.

I have mentioned before that we fall between the cracks, no Medicare, no NHS even though we are British, receive all our money from UK, UK state pension and pay UK tax, so you can't just turn up and wave a British passport and see a Dr. for free unless I assume an emergency.

 

We have no,problem getting several months worth of medication issued here before we go to cover our trips.

[caramac]

Yep me to, the UK could learn a lot from the Aussie system. I am in generally good health, but I dread using the NHS even for something routine, the hours spent dialling and trying to get through on the phone, the lack of available appointments and yet you have to have an appointment to get an asthma inhaler, which could be bought over counter in Australia! I would hate to be seriously ill in the UK and have to use the NHS, even if you want to access private care you have to run the gauntlet of this archaic and broken system first.

 

Most people go to work, are not sick very often and can afford to spend a few dollars on a rare doctors visit and then it makes things so much easier for everyone, themselves for a start plus it means elderly, children and very sick could then access the free at point of use services more easily. I think that bulk billing should be left for those that need it, unfortunately British are so accustomed to not paying at point of service that they often refuse to on principle. I think charging working people for GP appointments would do wonders for the NHS.

 

 

You don't need an appointment for an asthma inhaler, just for the first appointment, or for review (which is usually with an asthma specialist nurse rather than a Dr).

If you have stable asthma you can be given a few months worth of prescriptions which is then often put 'on repeat', so you don't have to take up an appointment.

Of course, if your condition changes you should go back for a review so your meds can be tweaked or changed.

Same for other chronic conditions.

 

There is lots that's good about the Australian system - my oh has worked in some fantastic services there, which are way ahead of where we are in the UK, but in many places there are still too many fragmented services and not enough multidisciplinary services which can mean a lack of continuity of care.

There is still a bit of a protectionist mentality from the private practitioners which can mean that they won't refer on or discharge when appropriate. That can be very appealing from a patient's point of view, but has no real advantage to their wellbeing.

The NHS isn't perfect, and the endless restructuring by consecutive governments does nothing to help - if the money wasn't wasted in that way, it could be used where it really matters. It's very frustrating when you know what the evidence for a certain service shows, but managers with no health background are telling you you have to do it their way, but I still think we get a good deal in comparison with other countries.

[Rossmoyne]

On my recent trip to UK I needed to see a Dr and the friends I was staying with rang their GP, explained that I was visiting from Australia but am a British Citizen. Dr would see me without cost but did not have an appointment available for 48 hours, so I went to the GP Walk-in at Brighton station and was seen within 10 minutes. They did not want to see my passport or even know my NHS number and there was no fee. The prescription was also filled for no fee at the local chemist.

[MichaelP]

I am a UK citizen but was told I would have to pay for treatment (broken finger) at a Leeds hospital when I couldn't prove my residence in UK. It really annoyed me because I was born at that hospital and even worked there as a casual porter when I was a student! They put a splint on for free and I waited a week until I returned to Aus and got it fixed properly here.