expatriates will be given access to free NHS healthcare for life

[joebloggs]

part from another post i just made, but its worthy of a post of its own

The changes will also protect UK expatriates by giving them access to free NHS healthcare for life once they have paid national insurance contributions for 10 years. At present, anyone living permanently outside the UK faces paying for NHS care they receive.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/ju...e-nhs-services

[imagine]

now at last someone sees the light, great news for xpats who after paying contributions for years get lose their entitlement will at last be treated fairly, but will it really happen

[Ako Si Jamie]

I wouldn't get carried away.

Knowing this country it'll only apply if you're gay, muslim or have Eastern European blood.

[imagine]

or they will introduce a medical exam those who are 100% healthy get free nhs

[fred]

Now we just have to start a campaign to get an NHS hospital built in places like Spain and the Philippines!!
Now that would be good news!

[Ako Si Jamie]

or they will introduce a medical exam those who are 100% healthy get free nhs

[Terpe]

I know it's only a press report, but just maybe it could happen. Pleeeeeze.

Fred that idea about overseas NHS hospitals may actually make sense.
Not a whole new building with equipements and NHS staff, but a sort of 'franchise' much in the same way as organisations like BUPA do. Not that I have any idea if it would work or not, just sounds like a nice idea.

C'mon Jeremy

[jake]

Good news for expats, especially for those that live in countries where medical fees are very high.
Still a wise idea to have insurance in the country you have settled in as you may not be able to just hop on a plane back to blighty.

Plenty of capable doctors and nurses in the Philippines to run that NHS hospital

[Terpe]

....Plenty of capable doctors and nurses in the Philippines to run that NHS hospital

Still plenty left here in UK doing a great job, despite recent restrictions

[joebloggs]

Plenty of capable doctors and nurses in the Philippines to run that NHS hospital

i think my misses would go back to the phils tomorrow if they paid UK wages

[joebloggs]

terpe we've both quoted the same part of his post at the same time

[Terpe]

terpe we've both quoted the same part of his post at the same time

Great minds think alike but fools seldom differ

Joke lang

[Iani]

Not wanting to pee on anyone's bonfire here, but does anyone think 10 years isn't enough for access to something like the NHS for ever?

It's just I could imagine someone coming here from a usual suspect country, and seeing this as a huge perk, only having to work a mere 10 years in return for such a huge benefit?
Perhaps it should be more 20 years, as lets face it, most expats will have worked in the UK for a fair time before leaving for their semi retirement once they reach their 40's etc

10 years seems to be almost a magnet to come here

[joebloggs]

Not wanting to pee on anyone's bonfire here, but does anyone think 10 years isn't enough for access to something like the NHS for ever?

It's just I could imagine someone coming here from a usual suspect country, and seeing this as a huge perk, only having to work a mere 10 years in return for such a huge benefit?
Perhaps it should be more 20 years, as lets face it, most expats will have worked in the UK for a fair time before leaving for their semi retirement once they reach their 40's etc

10 years seems to be almost a magnet to come here

true, but its a start, i would have thought if it was abused then it would increase, but remember the max is 5yrs on a work permit to be able to apply for citizenship. so 10yrs is a pretty long time. but does that include time when people were unemployed or never have worked at all and social services have paid your nat contributions ?