§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients have received treatment in(a) Germany, (b) France and (c) elsewhere outside the United Kingdom at NHS expense in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. DorrellUnder the European Community Social Security Regulations the United Kingdom is responsible for the health care costs of EC nationals resident here who travel elsewhere in the Community. Following are numbers of United Kingdom residents authorised to receive specific treatment in other EC countries:
Year Germany France Elsewhere 1979 3 20 1 1980 6 16 4 1981 6 27 4 1982 8 14 9 1983 11 27 7 1984 15 20 13 1985 13 36 8 1986 17 28 13 1987 23 26 9 1988 17 40 23 1989 44 61 30 1990 69 118 72 11991 18 42 23 1 To date. The EC regulations also cover immediately necessary treatment for conditions arising during a temporary visit. No precise data exists on numbers of United Kingdom residents given such treatment, nor on the number of NHS patients who have been treated in those non-EC countries with which the United Kingdom has bilateral reciprocal health agreements.