Your health

Planning medical treatment abroad

Planning your medical treatment abroad

NHS patients are entitled, subject to certain conditions, to receive treatment which is normally available on the NHS in the UK in other European countries.*

The information below explains how the system works and to whom you should speak for specific advice, further information can be found in the Pan Dorset Joint Policy for Commissioning Treatments for Individual Patients.

*Member states of the European Union, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Before you travel

Before going abroad for medical treatment, it is important to get enough information to enable you to make the right choices.  You should consider:

• whether you are likely to have language difficulties in the country where you plan to have treatment;
• how much you know about the medical practitioners and clinics you intend using;
• how your medical notes would be exchanged between medical teams in the UK and abroad;
• how your aftercare would be coordinated when you return home;
• how you would deal with any complaint or problem should something go wrong following your treatment (the NHS is not liable for negligence or failure of treatment).

What to do next

If you are considering treatment abroad, it is important to discuss your plans with your doctor (GP, hospital consultant or dentist) before you make any travel or medical arrangements.

They will then refer you to your local branch of the NHS (Primary Care Trust) for further help and advice including:

• whether you need formal permission from your local NHS before undergoing treatment abroad;
• which treatments they are prepared to fund and whether this funding is likely to cover the full cost of your treatment;
• whether you would need to pay the medical costs in advance and, if so, how you would be reimbursed by your local NHS;
• how any required aftercare would be provided back home by the NHS;
• that you fully understand the conditions under which you will be treated abroad.

If you decide to have treatment abroad

There are two ways to have your treatment abroad funded by the NHS:

• S2 form (previously E112) issued by the Overseas Healthcare Team in Newcastle with approval from your PCT;
• Article 56 of the European Union Treaty Provisions.

Each option works in a slightly different way.  You will need to speak to an expert at your local NHS to get advice on which option is appropriate in your circumstances and to check your eligibility for funding.  The Patient Advice & Liaison Service can help to put you in touch with them.

Remember:  If you choose to go abroad for healthcare, you are strongly advised to take out insurance to ensure that any unforeseen emergencies are covered.