Medical repatriation

Voyager2002

Since the OP has not returned there seems little point in asking for the details that would make it possible to give helpful advice. Emergency treatment on the NHS is free for everyone, so from that point of view repatriation might make sense.

unforeseen

Voyager2002 said:

Since the OP has not returned there seems little point in asking for the details that would make it possible to give helpful advice. Emergency treatment on the NHS is free for everyone, so from that point of view repatriation might make sense.

Is it emergency treatment if they are returning with a medical condition that is already being treated, albeit in a different country?

TELLIT01

heatherw_01 said:

You wouldn't be eligible for NHS treatment if they moved abroad.
Can't move abroad and come back for free healthcare when you haven't been paying taxes!


If you're moving abroad on a permanent basis, you'll no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/

The important section there is 'no longer automatically entitled', which is not the same as 'won't be eligible'.  I do think it unlikely that they will get free treatment, but it is something which needs to be investigated further before repatriation is considered.

f4phixeruk

TELLIT01 said:

heatherw_01 said:

You wouldn't be eligible for NHS treatment if they moved abroad.
Can't move abroad and come back for free healthcare when you haven't been paying taxes!


If you're moving abroad on a permanent basis, you'll no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/

The important section there is 'no longer automatically entitled', which is not the same as 'won't be eligible'.  I do think it unlikely that they will get free treatment, but it is something which needs to be investigated further before repatriation is considered.

Bit like the health tourist coming to the UK. Not entitled to treatment but the NHS never refuse do they ?  How many non UK residents get charged for treatment I wonder ??

IvanOpinion

If you are in Ireland (North or South) you could try the Kevin Bell Trust.  If you are elsewhere in the UK they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Voyager2002

f4phixeruk said:

TELLIT01 said:

heatherw_01 said:

You wouldn't be eligible for NHS treatment if they moved abroad.
Can't move abroad and come back for free healthcare when you haven't been paying taxes!


If you're moving abroad on a permanent basis, you'll no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/

The important section there is 'no longer automatically entitled', which is not the same as 'won't be eligible'.  I do think it unlikely that they will get free treatment, but it is something which needs to be investigated further before repatriation is considered.

Bit like the health tourist coming to the UK. Not entitled to treatment but the NHS never refuse do they ?  How many non UK residents get charged for treatment I wonder ??

The NHS never refuses emergency treatment. Other than that, foreigners have to wait until they are a priority, just like British people in need of elective surgery or routine treatment.

Oh: the relevant select committee had a hearing on this issue late in 2016. The evidence presented made it clear that the income to the NHS from the "health surcharge" paid by all foreigners coming for longer than a few months far exceeded the cost to the NHS of treating foreigners. While the gutter press can use this issue to fill column inches and arouse national indignation, it is really not any kind of problem in the real world.

Pollycat

unforeseen said:

Voyager2002 said:

Since the OP has not returned there seems little point in asking for the details that would make it possible to give helpful advice. Emergency treatment on the NHS is free for everyone, so from that point of view repatriation might make sense.

Is it emergency treatment if they are returning with a medical condition that is already being treated, albeit in a different country?

The OP mentions

volorg said:

Hi, has anyone had experience of medical repatriation for themselves or a family member? My brother is stuck in Thailand with severe injuries but has no travel insurance.  We are trying to find a reliable company.

which to me sounds like some sort of accident rather than a medical condition e.g. heart condition.

Of course, that may just be how the OP described it.

justworriedabit

unforeseen said:

Voyager2002 said:

Since the OP has not returned there seems little point in asking for the details that would make it possible to give helpful advice. Emergency treatment on the NHS is free for everyone, so from that point of view repatriation might make sense.

Is it emergency treatment if they are returning with a medical condition that is already being treated, albeit in a different country?

Indeed......

unforeseen

Pollycat said:

unforeseen said:

Voyager2002 said:

Since the OP has not returned there seems little point in asking for the details that would make it possible to give helpful advice. Emergency treatment on the NHS is free for everyone, so from that point of view repatriation might make sense.

Is it emergency treatment if they are returning with a medical condition that is already being treated, albeit in a different country?

The OP mentions

volorg said:

Hi, has anyone had experience of medical repatriation for themselves or a family member? My brother is stuck in Thailand with severe injuries but has no travel insurance.  We are trying to find a reliable company.

which to me sounds like some sort of accident rather than a medical condition e.g. heart condition.

Of course, that may just be how the OP described it.

A medical condition is defined as the state of a patient’s physical or mental health, including the patient’s illness, injury, or disease.

Sea_Shell

Maybe as the OP hasn't been back, the situation has resolved itself.

😲🤔