Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure that existing mutual aid arrangements for dialysis will continue after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

The Government has proposed to all European Union Member States that if the United Kingdom leaves the EU without a deal, we should maintain existing healthcare arrangements until 31 December 2020, with the aim of minimising disruption to healthcare provision for UK nationals and EU citizens. This is subject to negotiations, which are ongoing, and we are hopeful that we can agree reciprocal healthcare arrangements.

A number of Member States, including Spain and Belgium, have already prepared legislation that will protect the healthcare rights of UK-insured individuals travelling and living in-country after 31 October 2019.