HC Deb 16 July 2003 vol 409 c422W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Health with which countries the UK has reciprocal arrangements for free medical treatment. [126014]

Mr. Hutton

The healthcare co-ordination arrangements contained in Regulations (EEC) 1408/71 and 574/72 apply in all the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. The United Kingdom also has bilateral healthcare arrangements with more than 30 non-EEA countries and territories.

A fundamental principle underlying all the arrangements is that emergency treatment is provided under the state healthcare scheme to entitled visitors on the same terms as it is available to insured residents of the host country. Most countries and territories make some charges for so me services.

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