Health: Stroke Care

Debate between Earl Howe and Lord Smith of Clifton

Monday 4th July 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Smith of Clifton]

My Lords, with regard to stroke in young people, what specific policies is the Minister’s department pursuing, particularly bearing in mind that most strokes in young people are caused by sickle cell disease?

[Earl Howe]

My noble friend makes an extremely important point about strokes in young people. It is of course true that, thankfully, fewer young people suffer these strokes, but he is right that sickle cell presents a warning sign. There are clear guidelines for ambulance crews and doctors more generally relating to those who have sickle cell disease. We had a debate a while ago on this topic in which the noble Baroness, Lady Benjamin, made some extremely important points which we continue to bear in mind.

Health: Isle of Man

Debate between Earl Howe and Lord Smith of Clifton

Monday 14th June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Smith of Clifton]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will decide whether to continue or cancel their reciprocal healthcare agreement with the Isle of Man.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe)]

My Lords, the current reciprocal healthcare agreement between the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man is due to end on 30 September 2010. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State will consider this matter, in consultation with other relevant parties, in good time to reach a decision by September.

[Lord Smith of Clifton]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. At the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary last March, it was unanimously resolved that the Government should continue with the reciprocal healthcare agreement. It would be very ageist if that agreement were rescinded, because people such as me—I declare an interest—could not get the personal health insurance that would be needed to go to the Crown Dependencies. Is this not a form of discrimination which is totally unacceptable?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, it might be helpful if I were to clarify the current position. If the noble Lord were to go the Isle of Man, the agreement in place at the moment would enable him to receive emergency healthcare there—that is, healthcare that is immediately necessary—free of charge should he need it. The only reason for requiring travel insurance in addition would be to cover the cost of, let us say, an air ambulance back to the mainland or any extra costs that were non-medical arising out of the emergency. In that sense, the Isle of Man is no different as a travel destination than, let us say, the United States.