NHS treatment in Dublin ?

bobbysox1v

I have a UK passport and a Blue card for EEA travel but it looks like S/Ireland offers free NHS treatment. Is this right ? Does Dublin have NHS hospitals ?

bap98189

I'm not sure what you are asking. Are you asking if the British NHS has hospitals in Dublin? The answer is no.

There is a public healthcare system in Ireland, so yes there are hospitals but they are owned and run by the Irish HSE not by the British NHS.

dzug1

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/entitlements/EHIC/Visitors_to_Ireland.html may be of interest

Katiehound

In ROI you will get the same treatment as the locals on benefit (VHI) if you have a European Health Card (EHIC) I know that means free GP consultation & free prescription (with small Govt handling surcharge.) When booking an appointment I always say that I am on holiday with an EHIC card.
I don't know about hospital treatment because fortunately I have never had to get it.
Of course it isn't the NHS because Dublin is not in the UK!!!!!!

Inner_Zone

I had free treatment at Limerick A&E a few years ago. As above just take your EHIC. I was not asked for mine it was apparent from my accent I was not local so they did not ask to see it just took my name and put London as my address.

Bogtrotter

Not 100% sure but I thought that UK had some sort of agreement with the Republic of Ireland whereby each others citizens get treatment even without the EHIC... I know that its certainly true for british citizens from Northern Ireland.

catokelly

There is no NHS, or version of NHS in Ireland, if you are a working person even just a visit to your GP would cost you around €50!! The only people who get it free are people who hold a 'medical card' ie: elderly, people on benefits or people with long term ailments.

For UK visitors, only 'emergency' treatment is free. For UK citizens, you dont necessarily need the EHIC card, other proof of UK residence would be sufficient. See http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/entitlement_to_health_services/health_services_and_visitors_to_ireland.html for more info. By the way VHI is not 'locals on benefit', it is people who opt to be covered by health insurance (VHI is a government backed health insurance scheme).

Katiehound

Bogtrotter wrote: »

Not 100% sure but I thought that UK had some sort of agreement with the Republic of Ireland whereby each others citizens get treatment even without the EHIC... I know that its certainly true for british citizens from Northern Ireland.

if you don't have your EHIC with you, you will pay! I learned the hard way and had to pay for both consultation & drugs. Ever since then I keep my card in the car (as I always drive to ROI)
I didn't know you could use other proof- the surgery didn't offer me that. I would have had the ferry tickets with me- that's all.
As the EHIC is free I wouldn't take the chance.

I was using a short cut - yes I know VHI is insurance. Generally Joe Bloggs in ROI pays, they don't get free treatment, hence the fact that the surgery is not crowded out and you do see the Dr. (Here you get to see a nurse first!)