HC Deb 16 March 2004 vol 419 c246W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances citizens of the 10 EU accession countries will have rights to medical treatment in(a) the UK and (b) other EU countries; and if he will make a statement. [156721]

Mr. Hutton

From 1 May 2004, residents of the new accession countries will be covered by Regulations (EEC) 1408/71 and 574/72, which co-ordinate the social security and health care schemes of the member states of the European Economic Area. Like the insured populations of the existing member states, they will then be entitled to receive treatment the need for which arises during a temporary visit to any other member state, including the United Kingdom, under the E111 arrangements. They will be able to travel specifically to receive treatment in other member states of the European Economic Area for pre-existing conditions only if their home country authorises them to do so by issuing a Form E112. The home country will bear the costs of treatments provided in any other member state, including the United Kingdom, through the El11 or E112 arrangements.

Citizens of the new member states who become ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom will be able to access NHS care on the same basis as any person currently resident in the United Kingdom. But for those who fall into the categories covered by Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72—for example, certain retirement pensioners or students—National Health Service costs will be paid by the person's home state. Accession state citizens resident in the United Kingdom will be entitled to El11s or El12s for medical treatment while temporarily visiting other member states on the same terms as any other UK resident.

Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when(a) citizens of EU accession states working in the UK and (b) their children will qualify to receive free of charge NHS services and facilities. [157002]

Mr. Hutton

All persons legally working in the United Kingdom, and their family members, are entitled to immediate access to national health service services on the same terms as any person ordinarily resident in the UK. From 1 May 2004, this will apply equally to persons from the European Union accession states, who will have free access to the UK labour market subject to a registration system.