HC Deb 30 June 1969 vol 786 cc8-11W
58. Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT of arrangements in foreign countries for British subjects taken ill abroad, corresponding to the National Health Service facilities available free to non-United Kingdom citizens.

Mr. Snow

I will circulate information about arrangements in foreign and Commonwealth countries for provision of medical services for British subjects, including arrangements limited to particular classes and services.

Following is the information:

Country Persons covered Services available
Federal Republic of Germany. 1. Persons who are insured under the German scheme and their dependants, and persons entitled to receive United Kingdom Industrial Injury benefits. Beneficiaries receive free treatment from a general medical practitioner and the supply of prescribed medicines; part of the cost of dental treatment may be reimbursed. Hospital in-patient treatment is free for up to 78 weeks—this period may be extended when it is considered that there is a reasonable chance of full recovery. Expectant mothers may have medical care and the services of a midwife free, but beneficiaries must have had insurance cover for at least 10 months during the past 2 years, including not less than 6 months in the preceding year.
2. Persons in the following categories may voluntarily insure themselves and their dependants:
(a) those who are employed in the Republic but insured under the United Kingdom scheme;
(b) those who are ordinarily resident in the Republic and entitled to receive United Kingdom retirement pension, widows' benefit or long-term sickness benefit.
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 70 per cent, of the scheduled fee for dental treatment, for treatment by a general medical practitioner and/or specialist and for treatment in hospital. The beneficiary may also claim refund of 80 per cent, of the scheduled fees for drugs (90 per cent, for a few items). Maternity care is free. 100 per cent, refund is made for major surgical operations.
2. 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 United Kingdom Industrial Injury benefits. Beneficiaries are entitled to:
2. Women, confined in Israel, who are entitled to a United Kingdom maternity grant. 1. Medical attendance, hospital treatment, medicaments, and the supply, repair and replacement of orthopaedic and therapeutic appliances, convalescent facilities and medical rehabilitation.
2. Confinement in a public hospital only
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 care 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 United Kingdom benefit other than orphans' pension.
3. Dependants of 1 and 2 if ordinarily resident in Luxembourg.
4. Orphans ordinarily resident in Luxembourg for whom United Kingdom orphan's benefit is being being paid.
British insurance periods count towards satisfaction of the Luxembourg conditions.
Malta … Persons entitled to receive United Kingdom 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').

Country Persons covered Services available
New Zealand … All persons except seamen. Tourists are included. The service is comprehensive save that dental benefits are available only to persons under 16 years of age. Some charges are made, e.g. for some appliances, for physiotherapy, and towards the cost of domestic assistance.
Norway … 1. Persons not ordinarily resident in Norway, who are liable for United Kingdom contributions while employed in Norway. Treatment as as 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. United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom contributions while employed in Sweden. In-patient treatment in hospital is free. Dental treatment does not come within the scheme. Charges may be made for certain drugs. The patient may reclaim up to three-quarters of the cost of general medical practitioners' fees.
2. United Kingdom nationals employed in Sweden in the Government service of any country other than Sweden, and their dependants.
3. Persons who are in the private service of those at 2 above.
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 United Kingdom contributions or who are entitled to United Kingdom retirement pensions or a widow's benefit and who apply for membership of a Swiss Sickness Insurance Fund, within 3 months of the week for which the last contribution was paid or credited, or of departure from the United Kingdom in the case of a pension, 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 for the most part free. A small charge is made for each medicine prescribed.