HC Deb 06 March 1961 vol 636 cc18-23
33. Mr. Cooper

asked the Minister of Health if he will give details of those countries with whom he is presently negotiating for reciprocal services so far as the National Health Service is concerned.

Mr. Powell

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance negotiates for me on this matter whenever practicable when negotiating for reciprocal agreements on social security. I understand that no such agreements are under active negotiation at present.

Mr. Cooper

Bearing in mind the very substantial facilities which are available to foreigners on visiting this country, can we be assured that every opportunity will be taken to negotiate similar arrangements on behalf of British subjects entering foreign countries?

Mr. Powell

Yes, Sir.

37. Mr. Cooper

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of those countries with which Her Majesty's Government have reciprocal arrangements so far as the National Health Service is concerned, together with details of the service provided.

Mr. Powell

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Cooper

In view of the imminence of the holiday season, and bearing in mind that many thousands of British subjects will be travelling abroad, will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of publishing some leaflet which can be made available to travellers leaving all ports in this country, giving them details of these facilities, since I am sure that vast numbers of people are totally unaware that such reciprocal arrangements are available to them?

COUNTRIES WITH WHICH THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO MEDICAL SERVICES

NOTES:

1. Beneficiaries are required to satisfy the conditions imposed by the legislation of the country concerned.

2. Details of the services available are subject to alteration from time to time; the information given in the latest available.

Country Persons covered Services available
Australia All persons who are entitled to receive Australian old age, widows' or invalidity pensions and their dependants. Treatment by a general medical practitioner and the supply of drugs are free.
Treatment in hospital is not free but patients receive a sum of money for each day in hospital.
Belgium Provided illness did not begin until after entry into Belgium, the following are covered. The service is comprehensive, and is immediately available to those who take up insured employment in Belgium within 30 days of leaving insured employment in the U.K. Others qualify after a waiting period.
1. Persons who are in Belgium for the purpose of employment and are insured as employed persons either under U.K. or Belgian scheme. The beneficiary pays expenses, and claims refund in accordance with a scale.
2. Persons who ordinarily live in Belgium and who are entitled to British old age pension or long term sickness benefit, i.e. for sickness of more than 312 days duration.
3. Dependants of 1 and 2 above, if they ordinarily live in Belgium.
British insurance periods (employed persons') can count towards satisfaction of the Belgian conditions.
Denmark Persons who fall ill suddenly, meet with an accident or for any other reason are in urgent need of medical benefit while they are temporarily in Denmark. Tourists are included. U.K. nationals resident in Denmark may join a Danish sickness fund. Hospital treatment is free for all, and persons earning less than about £725 per annum may have general medical treatment and maternity care free as well. Those who earn more than this have to pay part of the cost of medical treatment. Certain drugs are available to all at less than cost price.
France 1. Persons who are insured under the French scheme, and their dependants, and people entitled to receive old age pension on the basis of combined British and French insurance. The beneficiary pays the cost of treatment and claims a refund amounting to 80 per cent. of a scheduled fee for medical, dental and hospital treatment (90 per cent. for drugs). The scheduled fee is in fact often less than the fee charged. No refund is made for major surgical operations. Maternity care is free.
Persons entitled to receive old age pension on British insurance alone; or British industrial disablement pension or long term sickness benefit, provided they become voluntary contributors under the French scheme and satisfy the conditions of that scheme.
Israel 1. Persons entitled to receive U.K. Industrial Injury benefits. 1. Persons receiving injury benefit under the U.K. Industrial Injuries Acts may receive such medical treatment as they would have received had they been in receipt of the corresponding benefit under the legislation of Israel.
2. Women, confined in Israel, who are entitled to a U.K. maternity grant. 2. Women confined in Israel and entitled to a U.K. maternity grant may receive hospital treatment under the same terms as Israeli women.
Mr. Powell

I should like to consider that suggestion.

Following are the details:

Country Persons covered Services available
Italy All persons employed and insured in Italy and certain approved classes of dependants. Beneficiaries must become insured with one of the Italian insurance institutes and the extent of benefits differs from one institute to another. Medical, dental and hospital treatment is free for limited periods. Drugs and maternity cases are free. Charges may be made towards the cost of appliances.
Luxembourg 1. Persons who are in Luxembourg for the purpose of employment and are insured under the British or Luxembourg scheme. Intending beneficiaries must become members of one of the Luxembourg insurance funds and the extent of benefits differs from one fund to another. The funds reimburse the whole cost of general medical treatment, the whole cost of treatment in hospital for most classes of patient and part of the cost for others, part of the cost of drugs, the whole cost of dental treatment but only part of the cost of dentures, and the whole of the cost of appliances obtained by insured persons—but only part of the cost if obtained by dependants.
2. Persons living in Luxembourg and entitled to U.K. benefit other than orphan's pension.
3. Dependants of 1 and 2 if ordinarily resident in Luxembourg.
4. Orphans ordinarily resident in Luxembourg for whom U.K. orphan's benefit is being paid.
British insurance periods count towards satisfaction of the Luxembourg conditions.
Malta Persons entitled to receive U.K. industrial injury or disablement benefits. These persons may receive such medical treatment as they would have received had the benefit been awarded under the legislation of Malta.
Netherlands As for Luxembourg The service is comprehensive, but free treatment in hospital is limited to 70 days. The supply and repair of appliances is reimbursed up to a certain maximum (100 per cent. for artificial limbs, and 75 per cent. for other items).
New Zealand All persons except seamen (tourists are included). The service is comprehensive save that dental benefits are available only to persons under 19 years of age. Some charges are made: e.g. for some appliances, for physiotherapy, and towards the cost of domestic assistance.
Norway Persons not ordinarily resident in Norway, who are liable for U.K. contributions whilst employed in Norway. Treatment as an in-patient in hospital is free. Between two-thirds and three-quarters of the prescribed fee for treatment as a hospital out-patient or by a general medical practitioner is reimbursed. Drugs are paid for by the patient. The cost of some dental treatment is partially reimbursed.
2. U.K. nationals employed in Norway in the Government service of any country, and their dependants.
3. Persons who are in the private service of those at 2 above.
4. Persons who are insured under the Norwegian scheme of health insurance.
5. Visitors from this country (including tourists) who are not insured under the Norwegian scheme of health insurance.
Sweden 1. Persons not ordinarily resident in Sweden, who are liable for U.K. contributions whilst employed in Sweden. In-patient treatment in hospital is free. Dental treatment does not come within the scheme.
2. U.K. nationals employed in Sweden in the Government service of any country other than Sweden, and their dependants. Charges may be made for certain drugs. The patient may reclaim up to three-quarters of the cost of general medical practitioner's fees.
3. Persons who are in the private service of those at 2 above.
Country Persons covered Services available
4. Persons who are members of a Swedish sickness fund.
5. Visitors from this country (including tourists) who are not members of a Swedish sickness fund.
Switzerland Persons who have paid or been credited with U.K. contributions for 13 consecutive weeks and who apply within 3 months of that period for membership of a Swiss Sickness Insurance Fund, and their dependants. Intending beneficiaries must become members of one of the Swiss funds, and the extent of benefits differs from one fund to another. With the exception of dental treatment and certain medical supplies, a comprehensive service is provided. Beneficiaries pay between 10 and 25 per cent. of the cost.
Yugoslavia People insured under the British national insurance scheme, including old age pensioners, students and apprentices, who are in Yugoslavia, and their dependants. Tourists are included. The service is comprehensive and free.