Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that kidney disease patients on dialysis retain the right to receive health care free of charge when travelling to EU states in the event that UK citizens are no longer eligible for the European Health Insurance Card after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government has proposed to all European Union Member States that when we leave, we should maintain the existing healthcare arrangements including the European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC) Scheme until 31 December 2020, with the aim of minimising disruption to healthcare provision for United Kingdom nationals and European Union citizens. This is subject to negotiations, which are ongoing.

We understand the concerns of patients who require life-sustaining treatment, such as dialysis, and we are working to secure agreements to ensure ongoing care and treatment in EU Member States is accessible for UK insured individuals.

However, it is important that individuals make the best decision for their circumstances post exit day. Advice has been published on NHS.UK and GOV.UK, to help individuals make informed decisions about the options available to them.