The European Commission has unveiled a healthcare package designed to make it easier for patients to get medical treatment elsewhere in the EU.
Under the proposals, patients would not have to get their doctor's approval for non-hospital care abroad.
The European Parliament and EU governments must approve the rules for them to take effect.
Considering the diabolical state of our BHS (Balkanised Health Service), I think Brits have more to gain than lose, if this measure gets adopted, although it’s unclear if it will also make it easier for EU citizens to obtain "equivalent and equitable" treatment actually within their own nation.
According to an Department of English Health spokesman:
"We are also absolutely committed to ensuring that, where UK patients choose to travel abroad for care, the NHS retains the ability to decide what care it will fund. Equally, anyone from other member states travelling to the UK specifically for healthcare will have to pay the full NHS cost of treatment upfront."
I wonder if N.Ireland, Scotland and wales are now also considered “abroad” for English patients?
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