Belinda Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Hi there, I'm English and have lived in Australia for 10 years now; became a perm resident and citizen. Due to a few things, but mainly illness, I have decided to go back to the UK to live. Does anyone know where I stand with using the NHS again as I am not and have not been a resident for a long time but am a citizen ? Any help, much appreciated, Belinda :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LondonGal Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Hi there, I'm English and have lived in Australia for 10 years now; became a perm resident and citizen. Due to a few things, but mainly illness, I have decided to go back to the UK to live. Does anyone know where I stand with using the NHS again as I am not and have not been a resident for a long time but am a citizen ? Any help, much appreciated, Belinda :unsure: Hi Belinda, My understanding is that as a UK citizen you are entitled to NHS services as soon as you land. Hopefully I am not wrong. Hope you get well soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Perth Princess Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Yes I'm sure you will be entitled to NHS care but I hope you are not too disapointed as the NHS has really deteriorated over recent years. Would you not get better care in Oz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest treesea Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 It's fine. You just need to register with a local doctor once you arrive. Imho, the NHS is a lot better in Scotland than in England. The pressure on services down south compared to up here is nothing short of astonishing. No NHS dentists for miles, and even then there was a waiting list. I found the GPs in both Cambridge and Manchester perfunctory and uncaring. Little wonder, given whenever I went they both had full waiting rooms and it took over a week to get an appointment with either of them. Our friends work for the NHS in Leeds. They say the population there is booming, mostly migrants and asylum seekers pouring into the area, and at work they are shortstaffed and run off their feet, with all the overtime they want. Plus - being English this really gets my wick - there is a whole lot of care and prescription medicine that is available in Scotland that you can't get on the NHS in England. Just why is it that being English and living in England means you don't get the same access to healthcare as the rest of the UK enjoys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr Sun Shine Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Plus - being English this really gets my wick - there is a whole lot of care and prescription medicine that is available in Scotland that you can't get on the NHS in England. Just why is it that being English and living in England means you don't get the same access to healthcare as the rest of the UK enjoys? This really annoys me, as someone who needs a regular prescription. Why should I pay £7.20 a month when someone in scotland gets it for free? I thought we all lived in the same country, with the same rules. As for GPs and dentists it's not the same everywhere. I always get an appointment at my GP on the same day, as long as you call at 8:30am, and waiting room is never full. And no problem getting a dentist here either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimpy Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 hi jus wonderin , are you not allowed medicare in australia as a citizen best regards jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in Bris Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Hi Belinda, My understanding is that as a UK citizen you are entitled to NHS services as soon as you land. Hopefully I am not wrong. Hope you get well soon. LondonGal and Belinda, The NHS provides free and immediate emergency care to anyone - citizen's, tourists, immigrants - however that is emergency care. For non emergency care, you need to be referred for treatment by a GP (either a public or private doctor) to an NHS consultant/doctor who will continue the treatment. The big issue which has plagued the NHS for years is what is referred to as "NHS Tourists". These are people who know they are in need of treatment which is expensive or non existent in their own country who catch a plane to Heathrow and go straight to emergency for the free treatment. The NHS has a policy to treat people first then they are supposed to charge them which quite often does not happen as the patient refuses or says they are broke. By this point, the patient leaves hospital. The recent high profile case of Ronnie Biggs is similar. He had been away from the UK for decades but returned for care, which he quite openly said and of which he was entitled, whether you agree this or not. Basically, once you return to the UK, you'll need to register with your local GP and best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest funkymonkey Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 This really annoys me, as someone who needs a regular prescription. Why should I pay £7.20 a month when someone in scotland gets it for free? I thought we all lived in the same country, with the same rules. As for GPs and dentists it's not the same everywhere. I always get an appointment at my GP on the same day, as long as you call at 8:30am, and waiting room is never full. And no problem getting a dentist here either. Seven pounds is nothing, i had to get a prescription here in perth last week and it cost me $90.00..... This was for an inhaler and some antibiotics for a chest infection, that is daylight robbery and thank goodness i don't get ill very often, but with three children i hope they don't get ill very often either as we have to pay for their pescriptions here too!:arghh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DJA Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I have had my first baby in Oz and 'Never again', they were SO understaffed in a South East queensland hospital that i had a horrendous time (i won't bore you with the details). We are returning to the UK and i will hopefully have another baby there. I also hope to get free dental treatment as my baby is still 6 months old but i have been out of the country for 4 years, i hope i can do this as i've paid my taxes there for 17 years (am 32). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JoanneHattersley Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I used to get free scripts in UK as I have a chronic condition, I dont get that here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tlander56 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Seven pounds is nothing, i had to get a prescription here in perth last week and it cost me $90.00..... This was for an inhaler and some antibiotics for a chest infection, that is daylight robbery and thank goodness i don't get ill very often, but with three children i hope they don't get ill very often either as we have to pay for their pescriptions here too!:arghh: Same here funkymonkey....the flu season has been very costly for us with 3 kids! I think I spent almost $300 on meds etc last month!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lollii Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Seven pounds is nothing, i had to get a prescription here in perth last week and it cost me $90.00..... This was for an inhaler and some antibiotics for a chest infection, that is daylight robbery and thank goodness i don't get ill very often, but with three children i hope they don't get ill very often either as we have to pay for their pescriptions here too!:arghh: Hi, Are you a citzen or resident? I am a citzen and pay hardly anything for my inhalers?? My sister had a cheast infection the other week and payed $16 for her tablets ( round abouts that anyway) So you must have went to a real expensive chemist? :err: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest funkymonkey Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Hi,Are you a citzen or resident? I am a citzen and pay hardly anything for my inhalers?? My sister had a cheast infection the other week and payed $16 for her tablets ( round abouts that anyway) So you must have went to a real expensive chemist? :err: Hi I am a citizen, although i don't think that makes much difference to the cost of perscriptions. The inhaler (which was for bronchitus) was $60 and the tablets were $30! As i was pretty sick i didnt feel like driving around for a cheap chemist and just went to our local one next to the doctors. My husband has an ongoing ear infection and the doc has prescribed a nasal inhaler which she said will cost approx $50 plus, he also has some more antibiotics so that will be another expensive trip to the chemist...he was born in Australia!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lollii Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 HiI am a citizen, although i don't think that makes much difference to the cost of perscriptions. The inhaler (which was for bronchitus) was $60 and the tablets were $30! As i was pretty sick i didnt feel like driving around for a cheap chemist and just went to our local one next to the doctors. My husband has an ongoing ear infection and the doc has prescribed a nasal inhaler which she said will cost approx $50 plus, he also has some more antibiotics so that will be another expensive trip to the chemist...he was born in Australia!! Wow !! Thats alot of money..mabey the consessions help?? diddnt know that much tho?:huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 HiI am a citizen, although i don't think that makes much difference to the cost of perscriptions. The inhaler (which was for bronchitus) was $60 and the tablets were $30! As i was pretty sick i didnt feel like driving around for a cheap chemist and just went to our local one next to the doctors. My husband has an ongoing ear infection and the doc has prescribed a nasal inhaler which she said will cost approx $50 plus, he also has some more antibiotics so that will be another expensive trip to the chemist...he was born in Australia!! Don't forget to keep all the receipts for tax time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowgirlfromhell Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 You just need to register with a GP again....shouldn't be a problem.. Although finding a NHS dentist will....especially through Essex/Suffolk.. You may have to go private for Dentists..which are so expensive its not funny.. To funkymonkey....you just had bad luck with your choice of pharmacy..you walk into a different chemist it may have only been $40...they dont seem to have a set price for Scripts here like the UK does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongrel Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I have had my first baby in Oz and 'Never again', they were SO understaffed in a South East queensland hospital that i had a horrendous time (i won't bore you with the details).We are returning to the UK and i will hopefully have another baby there. I also hope to get free dental treatment as my baby is still 6 months old but i have been out of the country for 4 years, i hope i can do this as i've paid my taxes there for 17 years (am 32). Your first job will be finding a nhs dentist , more chance of a needle in a haystack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongrel Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 HiI am a citizen, although i don't think that makes much difference to the cost of perscriptions. The inhaler (which was for bronchitus) was $60 and the tablets were $30! As i was pretty sick i didnt feel like driving around for a cheap chemist and just went to our local one next to the doctors. My husband has an ongoing ear infection and the doc has prescribed a nasal inhaler which she said will cost approx $50 plus, he also has some more antibiotics so that will be another expensive trip to the chemist...he was born in Australia!! can you not claim some back from medicare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Perth Princess Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 I have had my first baby in Oz and 'Never again', they were SO understaffed in a South East queensland hospital that i had a horrendous time (i won't bore you with the details).We are returning to the UK and i will hopefully have another baby there. I also hope to get free dental treatment as my baby is still 6 months old but i have been out of the country for 4 years, i hope i can do this as i've paid my taxes there for 17 years (am 32). I hope you have a better experience next time but I would warn you to not have too high expectations of maternity care in the NHS. You would be better getting friends and family to care for you. British midwives are lovely but there is not enough of them to go around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ashmalog Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 just a quick question - can you buy most medications over the counter in oz like you can in the uk. i currently live in uk but heading to melbourne in the next couple of months. i have 3 kids and they very rarely see a gp as most ailments can be treated with over the counter meds and they are just as good as prescriptions. only ever see gp if we need antibiotics which is rarely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowgirlfromhell Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 ashmalog.....yes id say its the same as UK...no worries there.. All general cold/flu medicine, anti-inflam, parcetamol etc you can buy in the supermarket or chemist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest funkymonkey Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 can you not claim some back from medicare Don't think you can claim anything back from medicare for pescriptions only costs of doctors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Don't think you can claim anything back from medicare for pescriptions only costs of doctors. You claim it back on your tax. You can claim a 20% tax rebate for every dollar you spend as a family over $1500 for the year on almost all out of pocket costs. This includes things like: - doctors - dentists <- yes, dentists - glasses - physio - headache tablets and the like (as long as you bought them at a chemist rather than a supermarket) - prescription medicine So keep ALL receipts. There is a max outlay of $32.90 for all prescription medicine on the pbs list. There are also two other safety nets if you spend too much in a year. o A general "medicare safety net" to protect against excessive out of pocket costs for anything that attracts a medicare rebate. eg doctors, specialists, path etc o A "pbs safety net" to protect against excessive out of pocket costs for prescription medicine. Both of these DRAMATICALLY reduce the costs of services and prescriptions once you reach a family limit. Keep ALL medical receipts - throwing them away is throwing away cash.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowgirlfromhell Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 you can get money back at tax time for Prescriptions though...but good luck getting any money back from the UK tax office for anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 you can get money back at tax time for Prescriptions though...but good luck getting any money back from the UK tax office for anything! You can even claim for headache tablets, cough medicine etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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