NEED TREATMENT IN UK

[Valeriea]

Hi, I am from the UK but live abroad. I need to come to the UK for treatment. How do I go about it. Do I bring my NHS card with me? Of course I will pay for the treatment, but do I go private or will I be able to use the NHS and pay them? Thanks for any help in advance. Valeriea.

[bednobs]

may i ask what kind of treatment?
i ask because if you have already had medical consultations where you are living, and know what treatment you need, you wont just be able to rock up at a hospital and get it on demand - you will have to go thru a GP referral etc. You will not be able to register with a gp unless you can prove you are living in the uk for a "lawful and settled purpose" (they usually say 6 months, but that's not entirely true). As for private treatment, just look up online what private hospitals offer it in the area in which you would like it then ring them to arrange

[Valeriea]

I am in the EU. My doctor in the UK knows I went abroad. I have lived outside the UK 8 years. Will I be able to get NHS treatment and just pay a bill? I remember an old boyfriend got treatment years ago in a NHS hospital (he was from Europe) and they just gave him a bill to pay. I prefer to get a bill from the NHS. Is that okay?

[bednobs]

yes, but as i said, you can't just go to an NHS hospital and ask for treatment - you need to get a gp referral, and if you are just coming over for treatment, you WILL NOT be able to register with a GP, so you can't

[bednobs]

Obv if you were to come over here and, say, break your leg, they would treat you (and you would get a bill), but not for planned treatment

[Valeriea]

Thanks everyone for your answers. I had forgot about the EU treatment. I remember when I first came to live in an EU country I needed treament for a sprained ankle and I was covered under the EU agreement and I was treated in the countries equivalent to the UK.S NHS.

[bednobs]

you will NOT be able to register with a GP unless you are here for a "lawful and settled purpose" Believe me, they are VERY hot on this
you need to be able to prove that you "live" at an address (for example a bill in your name to the address