Going abroad to live

[janeb]

Hi,just joined the forum. I'm going to live in Corfu for 6 months and wonder how I can get my medication. Will my GP prescribe enough insulin, tablets or will I have to pay for them. Look forward to your comments.🙂

 

[Klocky]

Hi,just joined the forum. I'm going to live in Corfu for 6 months and wonder how I can get my medication. Will my GP prescribe enough insulin, tablets or will I have to pay for them. Look forward to your comments.🙂

Welcome Jane, sorry dont have an answer for you but am sure someone who does will be along soon.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Jane, welcome to the forum 🙂 Your doctor should prescribe you enough medication to last the 6 months, I know we have had members going away for a long time and taking gallons of insulin and thousands of needles, test strips etc. with them (one member went to Australia for a year and got all her supplies before leaving). 🙂

 

[margie]

There is some information on travel and living abroard here

http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcareabroad/pages/Healthcareabroad.aspx

You should get a EHIC card if you haven't got one and check whether you need insurance in case you need to see the local doctors.

 

[grahams mum]

Hi,just joined the forum. I'm going to live in Corfu for 6 months and wonder how I can get my medication. Will my GP prescribe enough insulin, tablets or will I have to pay for them. Look forward to your comments.🙂

hi corfu is part of the grece government so i expect there is not a lots of free stuff does anybody remembered what happened last year ?

 

[Copepod]

Welcome JaneB.

Depends on your GP, really. Definitely get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles you to treatment at the same costs as Greeks. The situation is different if you go overseas to live permanently.

 

[HelenM]

Well, I'm going to be the one to urge caution.
You may be lucky, I'm sure some docs will be sympathetic and willing to play ball but there are a lot of directives from PCTs about this and they limit prescriptions to 3 months.
eg:
This one from Middlesex is quite detailed about the legal position on prescriptions and extended holidays and is typical
http://www.midessex.nhs.uk/Documents/Key-Documents/Policies%20and%20Procedures/Medicines%20Management%20Policies%20and%20Procedures/Eligibility%20for%20NHS%20prescriptions%20and%20living%20abroad%20v4%20Oct%202008.pdf

NHS entitlement is based on residence, not nationality, contributions or tax paying. Technically if you go abroad for more than 3 months (except in a few instances like going to university in Europe) you become no longer resident and are not entitled to NHS care. When you return you become permanently resident and are entitled to care again
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074386

There is a system by which, if you have paid NI contributions you can apply for a form (E106 or s1) that will allow you to join another EU countries system for up to about 30 months with some costs paid by the UK (depends on the time of year you go) but the system is ponderous and from personal experience in France (can it be better in Greece?)it would take 6 months to sort it out and is really aimed at people going abroad permanently.

One way would be, if at all possible, to gather a stockpile of 3 months supply and then get 3 months on prescription. You can use an EHIC ( but again technically only for 3 months)but even so you would still need a good travel insurance to cover all eventualities.
This tells you something about the system in Greece
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinGreece.aspx