Now that I’m officially old and hobbling towards my dotage, I was somewhat relieved to discover that I’ll be entitled to free NHS treatment as soon as we touch down in Blighty. I will just have to pay the standard charges since I won’t be claiming benefits. This has been confirmed by an NHS website. It says:
If you move to the UK, you will not be charged for NHS hospital treatment from the date that you arrive, as long as:
- you intend to live permanently in the UK, and
- you’re legally entitled to live here on a permanent basis
This information was further corroborated by the British Consul in Izmir at a recent meet-the-emigreys beano in Altinkum. He said:
The UK NHS authorities had said that a British resident living out of the country for more than six months loses their right to the NHS but that right is instantly re-installed if they return.
So, no pretending I was never away and hoping for the best. Nor will I have to wait six months before re-registering with a GP. Maybe the rules changed when I wasn’t looking. Marvellous.
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Perking the Pansies 
As an ex-NHS-bureaucrat, this has always been my understanding. You just need to show that you intend to live permanently in the UK. Having an address should do the trick. (Hilary)
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Thanks, Hilary. Here’s hoping.
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I have known friends who have gone back to the UK to find they did have to wait six months before being covered anew by the NHS. But let’s hope for your sakes that they actually practise what they preach, then.
As for rules changing, you’d end up spinning like a top if you kept your eye on that particular ball!
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Oh, and by the way – we’re about the same age. You can be “officially old” if you want to but I utterly refuse to be so 😉
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I’ll follow your lead! 🙂
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. . good luck – you are so brave going to live in a Third World Country!
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Someone’s gotta do it but it will be nice going into a proper gay bar!
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That’s got to be a relief. Health care is one of those ‘grown up’ topics that sounds boring as all hell but is crucial in a crisis…and one’s dotage 😉
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Well, that’s gone and ruined my plans. I was all set to make an anonymous call to the ‘authorities’ once you landed and claimed to have forever been in Blighty. Any other tricks up your sleeve? 😉
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My sleeves are full of tricks!
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