British expats in Europe can now use online UK-based GP service

As if not knowing for certain how a managed Brexit will finally affect their lives wasn’t bad enough, British expats in Europe now face the growing threat of a Johnson-engineered no-deal Brexit.

Johnson’s ‘no deal, do or die Brexit’ threatens the assurances given by the vast majority of EU member states that UK expats’ rights would mostly be retained post-Brexit. Given that it’s being reported a no-deal exit would cause Europe as much damage as it would the UK, it would be no surprise if British expats were caught in the fall-out. Apart from the right to remain and free movement, the most important EU benefit for UK expats is undoubtedly the right to free healthcare, especially as a large number are retirees.

Putting aside the recently mooted threat to the NHS of a Trump takeover as part of a post-Brexit trade deal, expat access to affordable, reliable healthcare may be a thing of the past for expats still living in Europe. It’s now common knowledge that the NHS is under considerable strain, with appointments to see GPs now taking days or weeks, sparking a call for on-line and phone access to a qualified doctor. The call was answered by GP on Demand, a service using UK-based, NHS registered GPs and available 24/7 every day of the year. In addition, a video consultation can be had between 8.00am and 10.00pm London time, with the service especially useful for new expat arrivals on the continent.

Formerly only available to UK residents, the Care Quality Commission-registered service is now open to expatriates, giving access to its services on a subscription basis. Unlimited access is offered, and subscribers’ families are covered at no extra cost if living with the registered user. Any healthcare issue you’d normally take to a GP in the UK is covered, plus medication side-effects, surgery after-effects, confidential or sensitive concerns, vaccinations and more. Although it’s not intended as a replacement for a visit to your GP or local doctor in your country of residence, it’s reassuring to be able to get a diagnosis and details, especially if your local doctor’s English isn’t fluent, and the cost of £9.99 per month is reasonable.