NHS treatment in UK for Spanish residents

[Emmi Smith]

I have recently heard of UK Spanish residents going back to the UK for long term treatment.  How is this done as I assumed UK registration with doctor would have been terminated?  Confused.

[Johnrgby]

I was under the same impression Emmi, but when we moved over and I contacted the DHSS, to inform them and change our address I received a form from them which I cannot remember the suffix of something like S1?? on which it clearly states that our entitlement to treatment in the Uk remained intact including any procedures necessary, just out of interest I contacted a friend who worked for the DHSS for years ad is now retired and volunteering with the CAB he told me that you remain eligible, but it is a bit of a Heath Robinson set up you go back to the UK register as an emergency patient with a GP, he then has to refer you to a specialist whose team will take it from there.
You are correct in assuming your registration is canceled, as about 6/8 months after we moved over the doctor here wanted my wife's medical records, so I contacted my old GP who was a drinking buddy, who after checking with his practice manager gave me number to contact as all records which are not being transferred to another GP in the UK are stored at a central point, I cannot remember where it is but I contacted them, and about a week later they arrived as hard copies as they at the time could not do it electronically, they charged for the photocopying, 8p a sheet but not for postage which was around £3

[Emmi Smith]

Thanks for that info. I had no idea about it.  Wonder if things may change after Brexit?

[Johnrgby]

My pleasure Emmi, I cannot see how things can change for this kind of thing, after all, we will remain UK citizens, there is a what I believe to be a very very remote possibility that entitlement to health care might change.

[DavidP]

My SI specifically stated that I can still use the NHS for all services  BUT this only applied to England NOT Scotland N.Ireland or Wales.
It came with an addendum saying that extending this to those excluded areas was being investigated,but delays were expected whilst the UK leaving Europe was being negotiated.
Some people seem to have had a similar clause,others not.
Explanation:- I do not have a clue!!

[Spitfire58]

My SI specifically stated that I can still use the NHS for all services  BUT this only applied to England NOT Scotland N.Ireland or Wales.
It came with an addendum saying that extending this to those excluded areas was being investigated,but delays were expected whilst the UK leaving Europe was being negotiated.
Some people seem to have had a similar clause,others not.
Explanation:- I do not have a clue!!

I know the health services budgets are devolved but I would have assumed that health negotiations/arrangements between U.K. & any European country would have covered U.K. wide, very strange 🤔🤔