Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contingency planning has been undertaken by his Department to ensure the maintenance of reciprocal health care arrangements between the UK and the EU in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

On Friday 26 October, the Government introduced The Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill which will provide the Government with the powers that are needed to fund and effectively implement arrangements for United Kingdom nationals to obtain healthcare abroad after the UK exits the European Union.

The Bill is part of the Government’s preparations for EU Exit and will ensure that whatever the outcome of EU Exit, we can take the necessary steps to continue reciprocal healthcare arrangements or otherwise support UK residents to obtain healthcare when they move to or visit the EU.