There have been some reports in the media today from the Lords EU Committee regarding the fact that there is no guarantee that Britons would still be able to benefit from the EHIC scheme one Britain leaves the EU. We’re concerned about this because if Britain is unable to remain in the EHIC system post-Brexit then travel for people on dialysis in the UK could become virtually impossible as insurance costs could become prohibitive for them. The uncertainty surrounding this issue is causing a huge amount of concern and anxiety for kidney patients.
Fiona Loud, our Policy Director explains: “Every day we hear from people who are anxious about the very real possibility that their freedom to travel could be curtailed due to changes in reciprocal healthcare rights. For the 29,000 people in the UK who have kidney failure and who need dialysis to stay alive, the EHIC system is essential to allow them to travel in Europe. We need a clear commitment from the government to protect kidney patients post-Brexit because the needs of people with long-term conditions will continue to cross borders.”
