Welsh Lib Dem Assembly Member Will Fight for Isle of Man Residents to keep NHS Cover in Wales

12.00.00am GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Mr. German, a leading Liberal Democrat member of the National Assembly for Wales, said that The Welsh Government had introduced legislation to exclude the Channel Islands from the 'Common Health Service Agreement' which covers all residents in the different parts of the United Kingdom (inside and outside of the EU) for NHS services. The legislation came into force in January.

He added, "However, The Status Quo still exists for Isle of Man residents to be covered for NHS services in Wales - the reciprocal agreement. There's been no proposal to exclude Isle of Man residents yet.

"Given that the Welsh Government introduced legislation to exclude the Channel Islands then I presume it would be the same process to exclude Isle of Man residents from NHS cover in Wales. There's been no request for a debate on the matter. I suspect there may have been an oversight by the Government here.

Mr. German confirmed that should the Welsh Government introduce legislation to exclude Isle of Man residents from NHS services then he would oppose it and force a debate in the Welsh parliament.

He said that he has already had one case where a group of his constituents planning to travel to the Isle of Man in the summer and they had been advised to take out private medical insurance as they would not be covered by the NHS and their European Health Insurance Cards would not be recognised.