EU patient mobility consultation announced

The Department of Health has announced the launch of a new consultation to support the formulation of the UK’s negotiating position to guarantee the appropriate development of a legislative framework around the Patient Mobility EU Directive.

It noted the directive aims to codify existing case law to clarify the rules which apply when EU nationals want to receive treatment in a member state that is not their own “home country”.

Healthcare professionals, health organisations, patient groups and the general public will engage in discussions over an eight week period during this consultations.

Issues to be addressed are making sure the directive does not have a negative effect on the planning and managing of NHS services, the provision of sufficient data for patients to make informed decisions and proposed measures for cooperation.

The consultation will also explore the potential volume of patients who will travel abroad to seek treatment and the types of therapy they may be seeking.

Dawn Primarolo, public health minister, said: “We want to ensure that, where UK patients choose to travel abroad for care, the NHS retains the ability to decide what care it will fund.”

She added visitors from other member states travelling to the UK for healthcare purposes will have to pay the full NHS cost of their treatment.

In August 2008, a report from Verdict Research found Britons spend more than their European counterparts on health and beauty.