• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Immigrating to the UK

maartymaart

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,

I am immigrating to the UK from New Zealand to be with my girlfriend and intending to get engaged. I have a Dutch passport, so will be Dutch when i'm there, and have all the EU benefits for not needing visa's etc for work and to freely move around.

My question is what medical cost are involved in having Type 1 Diabetes? I have had it for 26 years now and in New Zealand medication is subsidised. I pay for prescriptions every three months and see the diabetic Nurse Specialist every three months. Is there legislation that covers EU members with Type 1 Diabetes? I have looked on the gov.uk website but cant see much there about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also, are there requirements as a Diabetic eg 3 monthly visits to clinics or GP's for check ups etc.

My next thought is to call the UK embassy here in New Zealand to see if they can help me find out also.

Thanks so much and looking forward to some replies.

Cheers,
Maarten
 
I have no idea about what you will pay for treatment here you could try contacting the NHS but welcome to the forum and I am sure someone may help you
CAROL
 
If you arrive in UK on a Dutch passport, you'll be treated like a UK citizen. Everyone gets free prescriptions in Wales and Scotland. In England, peope with certain medical conditions, including diabetes treated with medication (so type 1 diabetes always counts) get all prescribed items (including insulin, blood glucose test strips, lancets, needles etc) free. However, in some areas, there are some limits on eg numbers of strips per mon h. You'll need to register with a GP - visits are free - and get a medical exemption certificate. All may take some time, so bring plenty of supplies with you. At some GP surgeries, GPs and / or practice nurses deal very well with people with type 1 diabetes, while in others, care is poor due to lack of training / understanding. Many people with type 1 diabetes attend hospital clinics once or twice a year, if well controlled. So much depends on where exactly you end up living.
 
Hi Maarten,!
Welkom!

I'm Dutch but have lived in the UK for many years, so my experience is different to yours. As far as I can remember though, I have always been treated by the NHS the same way as a UK citizen. I agree 100% what Copepod wrote above Diabetes care does seem to differ according to the area you reside.

Veel succes !

Signy
 
I am from uk and emmigrated to Auckland a couple of years ago, we decided to come back to the UK. However it seems here in uk although cheaper for medicine and seeing doctors, the support and level of care does not match NZ.
 
walshdon said:
I am from uk and emmigrated to Auckland a couple of years ago, we decided to come back to the UK. However it seems here in uk although cheaper for medicine and seeing doctors, the support and level of care does not match NZ.
Click to expand...


Very possibly as our NHS is groaning under the strain of trying to cope with increasing demands and an ageing population . And due to having an enormous annual deficit for the past decade or so , not including the amount needed to bail out the fiasco of the banking collapse, there have been many cuts to public service budgets to try to balance the books.

My niece worked as doctor in NZ recently and said it was wonderful place to live. Hope you don't regret returning here. Lol. .
 
it will all be free. when you start working, you will pay National Insurance which covers any costs. You will need to register with a GP in the area that you live and you will be referred to a diabetic clinic which is usually at a local hospital.
you do not have much to worry about. The care system in the UK is fantastic. You get your prescriptions from your GP. You will be required to see your diabetes specialist at least twice per year & have your eyes photographed twice per year.
Perhaps you should bring a copy of your medical history file with you for your new GP so that they are aware of your past medical history.
 
Would like to thank you all for your comments and info. I have been in the UK for a few months now and I think the care here in the UK is better than in NZ. It really does depend on how hard you push from my recent experiences in both countries. I am attending an Insulin For Food course tomorrow, which will be fun and informative I think.
 
Hi Were you told to make sure you sent off for a medical exemption certificate? You need one in England to claim free prescriptions. Welcome to the UK.
 
CarbsRok said:
Hi Were you told to make sure you sent off for a medical exemption certificate? You need one in England to claim free prescriptions. Welcome to the UK.
Click to expand...
Hi, yes... The diabetes nurse at the doctors surgery was very helpful. The chemist even let me bring the exemption card in when I got it, so lucky I guess. And thanks
 
maartymaart said:
Hi, yes... The diabetes nurse at the doctors surgery was very helpful. The chemist even let me bring the exemption card in when I got it, so lucky I guess. And thanks
Click to expand...
Your more than welcome
 
You will need to register with a GP first they will get you to fill out a form to get a medical exemption card, which allows you to get prescriptions for free this can take a few weeks to arrive. When you get prescriptions most of the time the pharmacist will see the items and know there is no charge so they won't ask to see the card, but if they do charge you ask for an NHS receipt and you can claim any money back. You will need to have your hb1ac done every three months and an eye and foot screening once a year. Hope this helps
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…