Return to U.K. for operation on NHS

[polpott]

Just now, impulse said:

 

The tech is easily available.  Maybe not the political will, though.

The various databases aren't linked. The NHS has struggled for years to link up the various parts of its own database to make records nationally available let alone link up with the databases of unrelated departments.

[fangless]

2 hours ago, polpott said:

I have been here a number of years and am still registered with a GP in the UK. I get a repeat prescription sent out to me every 8 weeks.

So are you admitting to breaking UK law?

[polpott]

1 minute ago, fangless said:

So are you admitting to breaking UK law?

Big time. I won't even start on what I get from my state pension.

[impulse]

13 minutes ago, polpott said:

The various databases aren't linked. The NHS has struggled for years to link up the various parts of its own database to make records nationally available let alone link up with the databases of unrelated departments.

 

That comes down to political will.  And the fact that government employees get paid the same whether they're successful in their endeavors or not.  Hire the right people, offer them a big bonus to get it done, and see what happens...

 

[polpott]

Just now, impulse said:

 

That comes down to political will.  And the fact that government employees get paid the same whether they're successful in their endeavors or not.  Hire the right people, offer them a big bonus to get it done, and see what happens...

 

Trust me, its not that simple. If they could have done it, they would have.

[fangless]

21 minutes ago, polpott said:

The various databases aren't linked. The NHS has struggled for years to link up the various parts of its own database to make records nationally available let alone link up with the databases of unrelated departments.

There is also the restrictions of exchanging “personal date” between departments with the implementation of the  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in 2018! 

[impulse]

 

[Guderian]

I was due to go back in April this year for specialist treatment that's hard to get in Thailand, but all non-urgent appointments were cancelled for the duration so I stayed here. The hospital made another appointment for late October, but you didn't have to be Mystic Meg to see what was coming so I rescheduled it to April next year. Again, the way things are going I think I'll try deferring it a few months to July or August, or I may just pay through the nose and try to get it done at Bumrungrad this winter. 

[Chicken George]

Not that was expensive here. I was quoted 150k fixed price in local hospital in Chiang Rai. Included 5 day stay and meds. I ended up in Bangkok hospital in Bangkok. Fixed price 275k. 

Glad I had it fine here. Bangkok drs are brilliant. 

[robblok]

16 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/12/nhs-england-52-week-hospital-waiting-list-highest-since-2008

 

no ops at the moment due to covid ..5000 have died during this period because they could not get ops

Mass cancellations of NHS operations inevitable this winter, say doctors

Exclusive: NHS England criticised for ordering ‘near-normal’ non-Covid care during pandemic

Year-long waits for surgery at highest level since 2008, says NHS England

In September, 139,545 people had been waiting more than a year for an operation

• Coronavirus – latest updates
•  

Same in the Netherlands, though my father just had an eye operation. But they are really backed up with everything.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, taninthai said:

I’m booked in for operation phuket hospital may 2021,,,,,,,,,I considered going back to Uk for it,,,,,,,,,rang my mate who just had a hernia op in Uk asked how long from seeing doctor first time to having operation........answer .....1 year.

Any idea on the cost of a hernia operation here in Thailand, regular government hospital I'm not bothered about a fancy private one in BKK... also is the procedure open surgery or otherwise?

[DefaultName]

My understanding is that if you permanently move back, you qualify immediately.  Do that, have your op, then move abroad again.  It won't help the waiting list though.

 

Me, I'd look into having it done here.

[taninthai]

46 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Any idea on the cost of a hernia operation here in Thailand, regular government hospital I'm not bothered about a fancy private one in BKK... also is the procedure open surgery or otherwise?

No idea I’m afraid I’m having tendon surgery in government hospital ,,,,did email a few private hospitals to try and get estimate price but you need to actually visit them for a consultation

[NoshowJones]

17 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Understandable.  They get paid either way.  It's up to the ultimate payor- and that's the NHS itself.  On behalf of the people who have paid in.

 

Edit:  I agree with fangless' brother, that doctors shouldn't get involved in payment issues.  They should treat people to the best of their ability.  Collecting payment in a fair and equitable manner is someone else's skillset.  And if they have already left the country, get them the next time they cross the border.  Or cancel their passport and see how far they get...

 

The NHS have no authority where passports are concerned.

[polpott]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

The NHS have no authority where passports are concerned.

Technically, they can ask to see it. If a Nigerian Prince comes in for hip surgery and they are suspected of being medical tourists, hospital admin will pay them a visit to ascertain their immigration status.

[NoshowJones]

1 minute ago, polpott said:

Technically, they can ask to see it. If a Nigerian Prince comes in for hip surgery and they are suspected of being medical tourists, hospital admin will pay them a visit to a someone scertain their immigration status.

Yes they can ask, there are that many black people in the UK, how will they know whether someone is a Nigerian prince or not.

Again he can turn up in a dinghy with no passport and say he has a sore hip, problem solved. ????

[polpott]

2 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Yes they can ask, there are that many black people in the UK, how will they know whether someone is a Nigerian prince or not.

Again he can turn up in a dinghy with no passport and say he has a sore hip, problem solved. ????

You can always tell the Nigerian princes. They're always trawling round the other patients asking them to cash a cheque from "Bank of Upper Limpopo".

[sandyf]

18 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Understandable.  They get paid either way.  It's up to the ultimate payor- and that's the NHS itself.  On behalf of the people who have paid in.

Many expats, myself being one of them, have never stopped paying in.

Denying access to those that contribute to the NHS coffers is nothing short of legalised fraud. 

[sandyf]

18 hours ago, fangless said:

There is also the restrictions of exchanging “personal date” between departments with the implementation of the  General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in 2018! 

Not entirely. DVLC have access to your passport details.

[Enoon]

2 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Yes they can ask, there are that many black people in the UK, how will they know whether someone is a Nigerian prince or not.

 

 

It's not difficult after you've met a few of them.

 

There are a lot of Nigerian commoners working in the NHS and the UK generally.........comparisons are available.

 

The contrast is quite remarkable.......and can be unsettling for some.

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2020 by Enoon

[HauptmannUK]

In September 2018 I assisted a 12-year resident expat in Pattaya return to UK. He had stomach cancer and had spent a small fortune on treatments at Bangkok International. He was almost out of money and in a bad way.

His sister in the UK sorted out a bedsit for him and I accompanied him back there. The day after arrival we took him straight to A&E and he was admitted and received good treatment.

A few days later two ladies from the 'Overseas Patient Team' arrived at his bedside and were very thorough in checking that he was indeed now UK resident. The bedsit rental contract clinched it. So all treatment was free.

Sadly it was all in vain because he died less than a month later.

Edited November 15, 2020 by HauptmannUK

[Autonuaq]

Thailand still can get the operation done quick with a few days after consultation. this is my experience and the kind of operation are the once you have to wait for long in europe. but if you not have they insurance or the money then you have to find out which government hospital the surgeons work and give it a try.

 

[brianthainess]

I returned to the UK one time and was not registered with a doctor, I found one that was like a drop in Centre, filled out a form my address was No Fixed Abode. just saying. But I agree with all the costs involved in returning and the waiting time, etc. I would go to a Thai govt hospital.

[superal]

On 11/14/2020 at 8:27 PM, fangless said:

I suggest this may be of help;

The British Government have updated the guidance for NHS Charging in the UK, including that for British Expats who are visiting the UK, this guidance supersedes all previous guidance/instructions.  Main_Guidance_post_24_August_2020_V2.pdf

 

 

 

 

Many thanks for the link and info but that was a complicated read . Did you deduce how long a UK resident can be out of the UK and still be allowed to use the NHS ?    Just because retaining a UK property does not mean compliance to be a UK resident , according to the Guidance Link .

Also , if  living in Thailand for some time where you have no status or official residency and then could have lost your UK residency because of absence from the UK , you may have no nationality or country of residence ?

[Neeranam]

On 11/14/2020 at 4:15 PM, Changoverandout said:

India is 50% cost of Thailand but would wait until Covid subsidies if U.K. waiting time is so long.

Also a great country to visit. 

[Neeranam]

I wouldn't feel comfortable going back to the UK as it would be dishonest to say I was a resident. However, when I retire, I hope to move there for 6 months a year. 

[CharlieH]

3 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I wouldn't feel comfortable going back to the UK as it would be dishonest to say I was a resident. However, when I retire, I hope to move there for 6 months a year. 

I did that for over 10 yrs bounced back n fore, i wouldnt do it again. Need deep pockets nowadays and a really good plan to make it work now, best wishes.

[polpott]

15 minutes ago, superal said:

Also , if  living in Thailand for some time where you have no status or official residency and then could have lost your UK residency because of absence from the UK , you may have no nationality or country of residence

All you need to do is claim that you are returning to take up permanent residency. Impossible to prove/disprove.

[maingmoom]

On 11/14/2020 at 3:30 PM, Changoverandout said:

Have any Brits that have been here a long time been back to U.K. and received NHS treatment, if so how long to qualify prior to surgery?

I need a replacement knee and been here 20 years but am still registered with a doctor.

I have also lived here for 20 years. I didn't even consider going back to the UK for my operations, as it would have meant staying there for a very long time of which I didn't fancy one bit. In August 2018 I had a complete right  knee replacement and in September 2019 I had the same operation on my left knee. Both were carried out at City hospital Pattaya, and each cost 280,000 baht.

 

I feel it's a lot to pay out when I have paid National Insurance and taxes all my life and never ever claimed one penny in all them years. We should be able to enjoy the benefits of the NH but like the pension we have been cheated.

[polpott]

11 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

I did that for over 10 yrs bounced back n fore, i wouldnt do it again. Need deep pockets nowadays and a really good plan to make it work now, best wishes.

Many still do but need, ideally, to maintain a property in both locations. Deep pockets a definite requirement.

 

Many "snowbirds" returned home at the beginning of the pandemic. Lots near me. Usually have returned by now. I personally don't know of one that has returned. One, a Brit, asked me to look after his scooter. A permanent fixture under my car port now.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by polpott