Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2019 to Question 272107 on Department of Health and Social Care: Brexit, how many citizens with existing healthcare conditions the Government has contacted to help ensure that they have the correct travel insurance.

The United Kingdom Government has published advice for all United Kingdom nationals visiting the European Union after exit day. This advice is available on GOV.UK and NHS.UK at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/healthcare-when-travelling-abroad/travelling-in-the-european-economic-area-eea-and-switzerland/

People requiring treatment for existing healthcare conditions when travelling should always seek advice from their doctor or specialist unit before booking travel.

The Government has always advised UK citizens to take out comprehensive travel insurance when going overseas, both to EU and non-EU destinations. The European Healthcare Insurance Card is not an alternative to travel insurance and we have always advised that individuals should have both when travelling abroad.

People with existing healthcare conditions are advised talk with their general practitioner or healthcare provider, as well as their insurer about how to get the right cover, and how this might affect their travel.