Returning Britons could cost NHS twice as much
If British pensioners in EU27 countries have to return to the UK because of their healthcare arrangements ending it will cost the UK twice as much as now for their care, says an independent British health charity.
Under the EU鈥檚 鈥楽1鈥� scheme 190,000 British expat pensioners have healthcare paid for where they live, reimbursed by the UK at 拢500million a year. However the same care in Britain would cost the NHS twice as much, claims a report by the Nuffield Trust.
鈥淓ven more difficult would be finding the staff and beds these people might need鈥� 900 beds and 1,600 nurses, as well as doctors, other health professionals, and support staff such as porters... equivalent to two new hospitals.鈥� All of this 鈥渃annot be brought on stream at will鈥�, as the UK is already short of nurses and beds. While it may not be easy to maintain participation in the S1 form system after Brexit, as it comes under EU social security coordination rules, efforts must be made 鈥渢o see if a continued deal can be agreed鈥�.
If younger expat Britons find work and residency rights in jeopardy, the NHS could be under even more pressure, the report adds.
