UK NHS Eligibility for Returning Expats

[thaibeachlovers]

19 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Maybe because they paid into the system for years before they retired. I started work at 15yr so by the time I was 45 i had already paid 30yrs. and by 66y 51yrs ! Free ? only if you never paid NI contributions. 

Depends on the condition treated as to whether those NI contributions covered the cost of the treatment. I know the excellent diagnostics alone that I had ( bone scan, MRI, CT etc ) cost far more than any amount of NI I paid. Including the op, probably hundred of thousands of quid. Also the extras like months of full pay while off work post op.

[thaibeachlovers]

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

One of my rellies was 'foreign business manager' for a mojor London NHS hospital. She was only ever called to question people with 'iffy' accents. 

We had loads of patients that couldn't even speak English getting free NHS treatment.