Access to publicly funded healthcare
In order to be eligible to receive publicly-funded health care in Northern Ireland an individual must be classed as ordinarily resident.
An individual will be considered to be ordinarily resident when that residence is:
- lawful,
- voluntary; and
- properly settled here for the time being.
Anyone who is ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland is entitled to access publicly-funded health services. However, some Individuals who are not ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be entitled to access health services on the same basis as a person who is ordinarily resident, e.g., Frontier/Cross border Workers. Further information
Visitors to Northern Ireland
Some visitors may be able to receive a limited amount of free treatment, therefore it is always best to ask before you receive the treatment, where possible.
-
Visitors from the EEA (European Economic Area)
Any visitor from a European Economic Area (EEA) member state must show their European Health Insurance Card to access free healthcare. A valid EHIC/GHIC entitles the patient to free treatment for conditions that arose during the visit and cannot wait until they return home.
If you cannot show either an EHIC/GHIC or a Provisional Replacement Card (PRC), you will be liable to pay for treatment.
To get a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) that will cover until the Full EHIC arrives, follow the link below:
Apply outside of Ireland
Only for Irish applicants:
-
Countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements
Any visitors from countries with whom the UK has a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement will need to show proof that they are a national/resident (as appropriate) of the country, e.g. a passport, a residence permit, etc., in order to be exempt from charges according to the agreement in place.
Pre-existing conditions that acutely exacerbate while in the UK or, in the opinion of a clinician, need prompt treatment to prevent them from acutely exacerbating, e.g., dialysis, are also included.
Further information on Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements
Read more in Access to Publicly Funded Healthcare
-
Access to Private Services
The Western Trust provides a limited service for private patients and not all specialities can be accessed in a private capacity. If you are considering private services your GP will be able to advise you on the referral process.
Read more in the Private Services section below.
-
Access to Maternity Services
The Western Trust have two maternity departments based at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry/Londonderry and the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. The Trust also has community midwifery teams who provide services for women in the Limavady, Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Omagh and Fermanagh localities. If you wish to avail of Maternity services in any of our Trust locations and you are not entitled to free healthcare please contact the Access to Healthcare team in the first instance to discuss charges and ways to pay. These services will only be offered to fee paying patients if there is sufficient patient capacity. For further information please refer to the Maternity Services page on the Trust website.
-
Access to Publicly Funded Healthcare
Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland are generally free at the point of delivery for people who are considered to be ordinarily resident, which means that you do not have to pay to see a doctor nor do you need your own health insurance. Depending on you circumstances, you may have to pay for some health services like dental treatment and eye care.
In principle, whether or not you have to pay for your treatment depends on the type of treatment and on whether you are living in Northern Ireland or just visiting. If you are a visitor to Northern Ireland and the treatment is emergency and is provided in an emergency department, walk in clinic or minor injuries unit, it is provided for free of charge. Once emergency treatment has been provided, after-care as in inpatient (admitted to hospital), or as an outpatient (not admitted to hospital) may be chargeable if you are not “ordinarily” resident in Northern Ireland or are not deemed to fulfil one of the exemption criteria.
The Access to Healthcare Team is responsible for identifying Patients that may not be entitled to free NHS treatment and may be chargeable. It is the responsibility of the team to examine the legislation and make an assessment based on the information provided as to whether charges apply. Patients will be required to provide proof of entitlement by completing a questionnaire and provide documentary evidence to prove their circumstances.
Download and Print the Western Trust Questionnaire
Download and Print the Guide to “ordinarily” resident patients proof lawfulness requirement
Further Information
Provision of Health Services to Persons Not Ordinarily Resident Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
-
Private Services
Sometimes patients enquire about ‘going private’. This means paying for your hospital treatment and care yourself, or using a healthcare insurance policy to cover the costs. The Western Trust provides the same quality of care to everyone, whether the cost of their treatment is paid for by the NHS, by insurance companies, or by the patient.
Private services are limited and not available to all specialities, depending on waiting lists and capacity. Your GP will be able to advise you on the referral process, if you are considering private treatment.
The consultant will explain the costs of professional fees and any other specialists fees, for example radiologist, anaesthetist etc.
Hospital fees are separate from professional fees and should be paid directly to the hospital. For information on hospital fees, please contact the access to healthcare team, who are responsible for private/paying patients.
Some consultant staff carry out private treatment in other hospitals, such as the Kingsbridge Private Hospital North West in Ballykelly. If you want to know more about this, talk to your consultant.
If you decide to go private, the access to health care staff will advise you on the process. You will be asked to complete an ‘Undertaking to Pay’ form, this is a formal agreement telling us that you or your insurance company will pay for your care. If you have private health insurance you will be also be required to complete an insurance form. If you do not have private health insurance you will be expected to pay for your hospital treatment in advance of treatment. The access to healthcare team will advise you in advance of the cost and ways to pay. Professional fees will be an additional cost to you and will be provided by the consultant.
-
E-Visa Support
All Biometric Residence Permit holders are being advised to take action now to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa here
Should customers find themselves needing support with creating their UKVI account or getting access to their eVisa, the latest updates and guidance can be found here
For customers based in the UK who do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device, do not have internet access, and do not have access to a device like a laptop or smart phone, they can get help filling in their online Home Office application. Details on how to access this support can be found at Get help with your online Home Office application
Extensive support is now also available through the eVisa grant funded network of organisations for vulnerable holders of physical immigration documents who require support in making the transition to eVisa. Details of support available, including the list of organisations is available at eVisa: community support for vulnerable people
-
Contact Us
Access to Healthcare Departments
Altnagelvin Hospital, Glenshane Road, Londonderry, BT47 6SB
Tel: 028 7134 5171 Ext: 213052
Email: Access.Healthcare@westerntrust.hscni.net
South West Acute Hospital, 124 Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, BT74 6DN
Tel: 028 66 38 2520 Ext: 255502