Cyprus-Forum.com

[Yorkshirefolk]

Hi, It's been a while since our last posting. We are on the verge of being able to move to Cyprus on a permanent basis. What I'm After is some advice about health care in Cyprus. My Father-in-law is quite poorly and on quite a few prescribed medicines. I've been researching the health care in Cyprus can anyone tell how we'd stand with him if he came with us to Cyprus. Is there some form of NHS service if he was a full time resident? Can anyone recommend any private health care services that may consider him?

We'd love him to be able to come and live with us but want to make sure his health care will be the same or hopefully better!

Thanks everyone!!!!

[Svetlana]

He would be entitled to use the public health care system but you do have to be in the peak of fitness to avoid being trmapled on in what passes for a queue here

There is cheap private healh care which is excellent but which will not cover pre-conditions.

Lana

[Yorkshirefolk]

Thanks svetlana, As I understand it the cypriot health system is similar to the NHS in the U.K. where medication is subsidised. He's quite frail having had both hips replaced and has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinsons disease. He's retired in the U.k. which means his prescriptions are free here in the U.K. How does this translate to Cyprus what can we expect in terms of cost for prescriptions... I'm assuming they wont be free in Cyprus.

thanks again

[Svetlana]

I am not an expert in this matter but here is what I believe to be true; when he (and you) come over you bring a European Health card, which entitles you to the same public health service as a Cypriot National. Some of this is quite good I am told (emergency treatment) and some not so good (bed care). Some payment is required, I am sure how much, others can advise you on likely costs. According to the newspapers hospitals are a bit shambolic, but I have no personal experience.

This covers normally lasts about 18 months or so; once he reaches UK State retirement age, the cover applies permanently. The UK Government reimburses the Cyptiot Government for this facility.

You are also entitled to these benefits if you are employed and pay SI contributions here.

Lana

[Yorkshirefolk]

Thanks Svetlana, I've also seen a previous thread on here that's got some useful websites for the ministry of Health. So thanks.

We're out again in April finishing off our wedding plans and seeing if our house looks like a house yet and we can't wait!!!

[dancingbear]

Yorkshire folk,
Hey up See thee, Just sent you a PM.
Grahham

[Yorkshirefolk]

Thanks for the info, things are looking more promising for us to move sooner rather than later.

[beverley10]

we came over with the understanding that our medical care was free and found that this is trueBUT you have to queue at the only general hospital in paphos to get a doctors appointment and you can(like we had) a queue of 72 people in front!!! Didnt bother!! private health insurance will not cover pre existing conditions so you have to pay for anything like that.my husband and i both had regular medicines and to get repeat prescriptions you have to queue(as above).we were successful but they didnt do mine so went without(no problem only hrt so not life and death) but hubby had heart probs so when he couldnt queue he went direct to the chemist in the village who gave him his pills but at a huge cost of cy£60 per month!!ok iff you can afford it!!all in all i wouldnt suggest your dad comes with you but just enjoys lovely holidays with you.good luck,cyprus is lovely.

[Yorkshirefolk]

thanks Beverley, I'm getting the impression that the health care isn't that good.. though it'd have to go some way to be worse than Pontefract General where he was last time he fell. You wouldn't send your worst enemy there!!!

Thanks everyone

[Niki]

We will be bringing our existing BUPA policy with us that was set up years ago so all conditions since then (and there are many for my husband) will still be covered. So if you already have cover in the UK look into transferring it.