Brexit expat retirees 'may cost NHS millions'

[Northerner]

Tens of thousands of expat pensioners may return to the UK to use the NHS after Brexit - unless a deal can be done to let them keep receiving care abroad, a think tank has warned.

The Nuffield Trust estimates the cost of treating them - on home soil, rather than abroad - could double to £1bn.

Currently, the UK gives around £500m a year to EU countries that care for Brits who have retired abroad.

Last year, spending on the NHS in England was around £120 billion.

The warning from the Nuffield Trust came as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told a newspaper that the NHS could suffer if Brexit "goes wrong".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40095822

 

[Bill Stewardson]

If you listen to the establishment the NHS can't afford to look after drinkers, smokers, the aged, obese, or now ex pats.
Obviously it is now for fit young relatively well off right wing people.

 

[grovesy]

Some of them already come back on a regular basis for medication and check ups.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Some of them already come back on a regular basis for medication and check ups.

My friends sister comes back from the Gambia when ever she needs any hospital treatment.

 

[trophywench]

Thing is within the EU, ex-pats are given the same treatment as a local would get so provided they go to a 'public' hospital, the NHS have to pay for their treatment anyway (and vice-versa) so what's the difference? Still have to pay the €23 to see a GP in France same as locals do, then locals are required to pay monthly for 'top-up' cover over and above the basics, so ex-pats have to pay it too and no drugs are free. If they are on prescription everything from an aspirin to morphine, has a 'co-pay' for which you can't insure.

If folk move to foreign parts and don't do their homework so don't buy 'top-up' cover or pay anything else the law wherever they are say they should pay - well hard flippin luck and I have no sympathy. Sue if your friend's sister comes back from the country she's resident in and gives her sister's address as hers when she returns then she'd breaking the law and frankly I'd have NO qualms in reporting her to the law for doing it. Or ringing up the hospital and telling them etc.