How Do You Transfer An Nhs Course Of Treatment Overseas?

[Barquentine]

If the NHS has put you on a course of treatment which involves 9 different drugs and is having amazingly good results, is it possible to continue with the exact same course of treatment in another country, a country with its own public health system. We tried this previously but the health system overseas insisted on starting from scratch, doing all the tests that had been done, and making their own decisions on the course of treatment - which is understandable for a variety of reasons. It might just about be possible to pay for the treatment privately, but we don't know where to start, to get the same list of drugs prescribed without going through their bureaucracy. Has anyone else faced this unusual situation?

[bednobs]

I don't think it's all that unusual, and I think you'll find the situation is exactly the same now - the receiving country will still want to make their own decision. For example, they might not have access to the same drugs.

[bednobs]

does anything here help? https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/

[woofgang]

My best suggestion would be to talk to your prescribing consultant and see if he has any connections in the country you are going to. It might be easier to go the private route as state health systems will of course have their own funding and prescribing policies with attendant hoops.

[bednobs]

I heard they sometimes let women be consultants now too woofie! What is the world coming to?

[woofgang]

my bad, I should of course have said "they". While typing I was thinking of the lovely male consultant who cared for my late husband. He worked across both NHS and private facilities and when I couldn't get the unusual controlled substance pain relief, that DH needed near to his endn from local chemists, he sorted for me to get it from the pharmacy of the private hospital who had previously been involved in his care.

[bednobs]

Sorry I'm just being picky really it comes from long training of raising a girl and trying to moderate my language.

[calmck]

Are you planning on a permanent move or temporary. In Portugal, as a visitor, you can receive emergency treatment for a minimal fee. A private clinic can refer you to a doctor in the public system but I don’t know if they would accept your results from the UK or would do the tests again. To receive discounted medicines (prescription charge) you would need a Portuguese health number and be registered in the system and possibly need a tax number. You could go private but that could be expensive. Also you would have to ascertain the medication is available

[calmck]

You might also consider having all details translated into the language of the country you are going to as a matter of courtesy and convenience

[Sqad]

It is difficult to answer your query without knowing your medical condition and the medication that you are taking.
However, just a few general comments.
Depending upon the country to which you are intending to emigrate and assumin

[Sqad]

Oops! Pressed the wrong button......
assuming it is a European country then the standard of healthcare will be equal to and perhaps superior to, the NHS.Also the doctors will be clued up on modern medical treatments and providing that your treatment is main line and internationally accepted then you will have no problem in continuation of therapy.
Someone has to pay of course and it will be either you or the NHS as you cannot expect the health service of your intended country of residence to foot the bill.
As soon as possible, contact the Social Care of the country and following satisfactory documentation, the NHS will give permission for treatment to be continued and will foot the bill.