How to Access Reciprocal Agreement NHS Care in UK

Many Australians travellers who are covered by Medicare in Australia, may be unaware that they are entitled to reciprocal health care from a GP in the UK on the NHS.  You are entitled to be treated by a doctor as an NHS patient & the cost of the consultation & prescription medicine prescribed by the doctor will be covered by the NHS the same as if you are a UK Resident. The Australian Medicare website now confirms this reciprocal health care agreement information very clearly.

Unfortunately the NHS in the UK does not provide clear, precise information about the reciprocal health care agreement it has with Australia & the result of this lack of clear information is that most UK doctors are of the opinion that they could only treat Australian travellers under the NHS if it was an emergency - defined by them as a life or death situation or an accident.  Needing medication for chronic long term health problems is not covered according to them. 

How to solve this problem and get the care you need? Go to the local hospital accident & emergency centre for treatment.  Those staff are well aware of the reciprocal health agreements the UK has with other countries. You will be treated quickly, compassionately & efficiently by their staff and, if necessary, referred to their 24 Hour After Hours Clinic for prescriptions via the NHS.

Hope this information helps other Australian travellers who find themselves in a similar situation.