I'll be 30 weeks PG when returning to UK after living abroad - medical care?

[Lemonsqueasy]

Struggling to find info on this so hoping MNers might have some advice.. is it likely that doctors will do a full check up? It's stressing me out not knowing which doctors or midwives will be helping me through birth! We don't have anywhere to live, either, just an area in mind. I've emailed the practice where I was formerly registered so ask about the process of registration. So many questions! My first baby as well! Aaarh!

You probably won’t need to see the doctor but you should register with a local GP practice and arrange to see the midwife. She will need to do what is basically a booking appointment and go through all your details, look at your notes, check your BP and urine, feel and listen to the baby etc. She will then refer you to the hospital antenatal clinic if you need to be seen by a consultant.

It depends how long you have lived away from the UK, you could be liable for charges of 150% of the cost to the NHS.

How long have you lived abroad? Depending on where you are might be cheaper to just have the baby there and return to the UK with the baby later on.

Oh no, really? I'm in Italy now and have been since Jan this year, before that I was in china for just over a year. Definitely can't have the baby here, we don't know anyone, only renting, wasn't planned, don't speak Italian...

Don't worry op! I think you'll probably be fine.

www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/hr-services/relocating-uk/living-uk/healthcare/eligibility-nhs-treatment

About half way down this page there's a link to the government guidance and basically it says that you need to be "ordinarily resident" to qualify for free NHS treatment. Chapter 3 defines "ordinarily resident" and it's not a difficult condition to meet by the looks of it (assuming you have a British passport or the right to live in the UK). The guidance is from 2015 so I'd double check it's not been superseded before relying on it but I think you should be fine.

Are you a member of any expat groups on Facebook or similar (like two fat expats might be able to help with this)? You might get more up to date guidance there.

Just looked this up and found out about the status of being 'ordinarily resident' which I should be as I've always mainly libed in the UK and intend to from now on! Thanks a lot for the info

@kinsters thank you so much! I'll have a look into all that

Hey I just did this - returned to uk at 26 weeks from 3 years overseas. I had to provide proof we were returning for a prolonged period/for good rather than just to have the baby. Provided my work contract as proof but they also accepted partner’s work contract and I think rental agreements stuff like that. Stuff they do not accept is British passport, nhs number, home owner, previous residency status in uk, previous uk tax payer - basically they want proof that this current move is ‘permanent’.

I have to say that I was really worried but since I got back the NHS have been fantastic and I’m well and truly in the system - not faced any delays or issues.

Good luck!

They didn't ask me for any proof.