URGENT advice re returning to uk for CHEMO treatment... anyone work in that field?

[noonar]

Hi,
My 40yo auntie has just been diagnosed with cancer (behind the right eye). She lives in the states but is a british citizen.

She starts her first cycle of chemo today but due to concerns about health insurance co agreeing to pay up, she plans to return to the uk to complete the treatment.

In order to be eligible for treatment on the nhs, we gather that she needs to settle for at least six months. she is happy to do that, especially as she was planning on returning to Europe anyway.

However, she is concerned about delay in her treatment cycles, as apparently she needs to stick to a 21 day cycle of treatment to maximise chances of success.

My question is, will she be likely to face a delay in being referred/ treated once she registers with a GP in the Uk?

I have been asked to research this on their behalf, but dont know where to start.

The other issue, which is a bit sensitive, is
that although she has a uk passport, she is not British by birth, and is concerned about being treated as a health tourist, and facing a hostile reaction from the medical profession. Is that very likely, does anyone know?

Tia for any advice

Hospitals have to establish that a person is entitled to treatment. In these financially black times they cannot afford to spend thousands that they will not get back from the appropriate body. At the same time all hospitals have a responsibility to treat the sick and won't want to cause your aunt distress. Do you know where she would be living? If you do call the local big hospital and ask to speak to somebody in Finance who deals with overseas visitors. That would be a good starting point. I work in the NHS and our person who does this is lovely and very rigourous. She doesn't make trouble for the sake of it but neither can we allow ourselves to be taken for a ride. Fwiw though - all the doctors I know don't care about the money side of things - they just want to treat people and have no interest in regarding people as health tourists.

I am a little concerned by what you saying about her staying for at least 6 months - in order to be eligible for NHS treatment her intention should be to 'settle' here Will she be retaining property etc in the USA? Because if so I think there is a chance her intention could be interpreted as visiting not settling.

Thanks, nothere. I will call them tomorrow. She is, afaik, entitled to treatment on the nhs and is prepared to meet all eligibility criteria, its mainly a question of timing really.she hasnt got time much to waste while her history is investigated...

If entitlement is obvious then there shouldn't be any delay in treatment. I work in renal and we've done dialysis for somebody right after their flight - armed as we were with letters from the country of origin saying that they were definately moving permanently - had sold their house etc. If your aunt is coming with her family and can demonstrate that sort of intent it shouldn't be a problem at all.

Basically, nowhere, she was planning to move to France but then got this diagnosis. So has decided to move to the uk instead, as she can be treated here on the nhs. they are talking about buying a house here and so their intention is really to settle, but the REASON for choosing the uk is the fact that we have the nhs. If i had moved to the USA and found myself in her shoes, i'm pretty sure i'd be making a similar move. They had no plans to settle in the uk. but equally, they had no plans to get cancer! everything has changed now. if a living in the uk is what it takes to get her well again, they will make that choice.

They absolutley dont want to break any rules. but her illness means that they are changing their plans. when i said they were prepared to settle for at least 6 months, i'm just using that figure as that is the time that scale that was mentioned in some literature that i read.

x post. slow typer.

so... would you recommend that they get some sort of document, maybe a solicitor's letter stating that they are selling their house in the US?

Think there may be several variables such as how long she has lived outside the UK and whether she has continued to pay NI and/or tax in UK. Really you need to have a conversation with someone from the local PCT as to whether they are prepared to fund treatment for what is a preexisting condition or if she would be deemed a private patient.

You need to talk to the hospital concerned - but yes I suspect evidence that they were moving would be useful. The only national guideline is that you must be living here permanently (if you have the right to do so - which she does). She has the right to move here and live here - as long as she is doing so permanently then all conditions should be covered, pre-existing or not.

LIZS is right that there are variables - but only if you are effectively visiting not moving permanently. For example pensioners are still entitled as long as they are living in the EEA for no more than six months and in the UK for at least 6 months of every 12.

Thanks both of you. will call tomorrow.

What kind of cancer is it? I'm thinking the trials and such available in the US are far more advanced than what they have over here.

Depending on the treatment she will need, I would seriously consider staying there - though I understand if paying for it is an issue she really has no choice.

Sorry she's sick

Thanks. thats kind. Ironically, as they were already planning on leving the US they very recently downgraded their health insurance. Not sure what kindof cancer it is... but the bill for chemo will be around £75k. apparently their insurance co is renowned for non payment...