UK: health system, insurances etc, re: diabetes

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Hi there

I will be moving to England from South Africa in the middle of next year and am in the process of trying to figure out how the health system works over there, especially with regard to diabetics.

Here I am on a medical aid, an insurance scheme that covers all my medical needs, including all diabetes supplies etc. as the public health care system is a nightmare.

What I am trying to figure out is:

- To what extent does the UK public health system cover diabetes supplies? (I will be studying in the UK and have a European passport)
- Does the public heath system cover pumps and pump-supplies to any extent?

If medical insurance is the best way to go, maybe some of you here can share some experiences in that field. It is so difficult to get any feel of the market over there as all I can find is adverts, which are obviously not very objective. :confused:

Also:
- Do any of you know if any insurance in the UK covers continuous glucose monitors?

I would really appreciate any advice! :)

[HelenM]

A partial answer:
Students from countries that have a bilateral healthcare agreement with the UK (including most of the European Economic Area) are eligible to receive most medical care free of charge provided they produce the relevant form (available from their national health authority). Students from other countries may qualify for free treatment depending on their circumstances. The entitlement to free medical treatment under the NHS is based on residence in the UK, not on nationality, the payment of UK taxes or National Insurance contributions. Any person who is regarded as ordinarily resident in the UK is eligible for free treatment by a GP. A person is 'ordinarily resident' for this purpose if lawfully living in the UK for a settled purpose as part of the regular order of his or her life for the time being. This includes overseas students enrolled on courses of study lasting more than six months, together with their spouses and any children aged under 16. Students enrolled on courses lasting less than six months are advised to take out a private health insurance policy.

NB residence means legal residence. The NHS is quite rightfully clamping down on misuse by those not entitled to it,
Through the NHS you would be entitiled to free prescriptions etc.
I have no idea what the situation would be if someone presented themselves to a doctor already on a pump. I have read of a person from Sweden who was able to continue on a pump (with supplies paid from NHS) when she moved to work in the UK.
Actually I'm quite interested in answers about pumps. ( in case if I ever have to move back to the UK)I suspect that it might depend on the area/hospital etc that you move to.
If you are going to a university, the university health service would be a good first port of call.

[SueM]

light, you need to contact John Davis at INPUT he is a mine of information regarding pumps in the UK
INPUT - raising awareness of INsulin PUmp Therapy (http://www.input.me.uk/) contact details