NHS Abroad

That august publication The Independent carries a report that the NHS is trying to export its brand abroad.

Britons resident abroad do of course have very limited access to the NHS should they seek medical services while visiting Britain. There was a time when anyone working abroad who maintained Class 2 National Insurance contributions could get treatment without difficulty but this was stopped by the Party of the Workers- the last Labour government.

There was the case of an English teacher in Thailand earlier this year who suffered a heart attack and died because of lack of adequate medical help.Always get some health insurance if you work overseas!

I have experience of both state and private hospitals here in Thailand and I must say the treatment in the state hospitals is better than in the private hospitals. Although Thailand is becoming a centre of medical tourism having as it does world class hospitals.The prime concern of the private hospitals is of course profit but brand NHS won’t be coming to Thailand soon.