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Life in General

Topic: New European Health Card

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path20

12/7/2022 at 11:00pm
Location: Lancashire
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I have only just found out this past week that there is a new card you can apply for to enable you to receive free health treatment in Europe.
My son collapsed and had a sudden death in Andorra. His life was saved by his friend who immediately started CPR after alerting someone nearby to send for help.Within a few minutes other help and a defibrillator arrives and his heart was restarted.Within fifteen minutes an ambulance arrives with oxygen and other medical equipment. He was stabilized and airlifted to hospital in Barcelona.
After a traumatic week and excellent care by doctors and staff in Barcelona he is now awake after four days in an induced coma. Today he was moved from Intensive Care and is in another room awaiting a bypass operation.
Luckily he was very organized and his friend brought all his papers to hospital. Amongst them was the very important GHIC card, the hospital asked for this straight away.

This is the link to apply:

https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start

It definitely gave us, his family,piece of mind.

SGThomas

13/7/2022 at 6:47am
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If you have an EHIC card which has not expired,then you do not need the GHIC as the existing card is still valid.

Keep an eye on the expiry date

Fiona W

via mobile 13/7/2022 at 9:55am
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The change happened when we left Europe so it’s not recent. The cards give you what the residents get - if they get free treatment, you do. If they pay, you do but not as much as you’d pay if you didn’t have the card.
However, travel insurance is still highly recommended - the cards aren’t a substitute for it.
The replacement GHIC is free, currently taking about 4 weeks to process.
Good to hear that there was a good outcome to a traumatic event.

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daveyjp

13/7/2022 at 10:13am
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Great he received the correct treatment immediately at scene as it did save his life.

The other important part of this story is don't leave the EHIC/GHIC card in a load of papers in holiday accommodation.. Treat it like a credit card and carry it with you at all times once you arrive at the destination.

dk168

13/7/2022 at 11:40am
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Wishing the OP's son a speedy recovery!

I applied for my replacement EHIC card before it expired as I could not find it, in readiness for business travel, and got the GHIC card right away with no reported issues.

DK

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Gram

14/7/2022 at 12:04am
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Quote: Originally posted by path20 on 12/7/2022
I have only just found out this past week that there is a new card you can apply for to enable you to receive free health treatment in Europe.
.....Luckily he was very organized and his friend brought all his papers to hospital. Amongst them was the very important GHIC card, the hospital asked for this straight away.

This is the link to apply:

https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start

DO IT!!!!
I've just renewed/applied for the GHIC for myself and my OH, and reminded my son to do so...

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path20

20/7/2022 at 8:22pm
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You need travel insurance as well as the card does not cover repatriation to the UK.

romany

21/7/2022 at 1:15am
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Quote: Originally posted by path20 on 20/7/2022
You need travel insurance as well as the card does not cover repatriation to the UK.

Good point but check your motorhome insurance or breakdown cover as these may have repatriation cover.

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