Tourist Access To Health Service

[lion]

Hi

When a tourist to Paphos needs access to a GP, since the introduction of Gesy, how do they access a GP?

The tourist has the current EHIC/GHIC card.

Thanks

[WHL]

Hi

When a tourist to Paphos needs access to a GP, since the introduction of Gesy, how do they access a GP?

The tourist has the current EHIC/GHIC card.

Thanks

Hundreds of Private GPs in private clinics they can visit.

[trevnhil]

They can use the A&E units in the hospitals if it is serious enough for that . Or they can contact their Holiday insurance company to see if they will pay for them to attend a private hospital
Or, as WHL says there are lots of private GP's they can visit for only a little money

[ast]

Local Pharmacists are very good to for the run of the mill stuff.

[lion]

Thanks everyone. Trying to avoid the private medical service and us the the same are residents using the their EHIC/GHIC card

[daveg]

I think EHIC is for emergency cover only...

Hence travel insurance......

[WHL]

Thanks everyone. Trying to avoid the private medical service and us the the same are residents using the their EHIC/GHIC card

You said they were tourists?, now you are saying they are residents? Which one is it?

[Kili01]

Perhaps worth explaining that Gesy health schene membership as far as I know is limited to Cypriots, and eligible British expats who either work here and pay social insurance, or are retired with an S1 and Cyprus residents papers.

So since Brexit its necessary for British tourists to have travel insurance. As already explained, for emergency treatment A&E at the General Hospital is available, with a payment of€10 by anyone who uses it in an emergency.
Private doctors fees are around €20-30 and there are many. Pharmacists here are well trained, many speak good English and can advise on treatment for minor ailments.

Hope this helps.
Dee

[jeba]

Perhaps worth explaining that Gesy health schene membership as far as I know is limited to Cypriots, and eligible British expats who either work here and pay social insurance, or are retired with an S1 and Cyprus residents papers.

Would it not be available in the same way to anyone who has a residence permit, no matter where they are from?

[souniman]

The EHIC entitles you to the same treatment at state-run hospitals and GPs in the EU that locals are entitled to, at the same cost in Cyprus visiting a GP privately costs 25 euros.
The GHIC does the same, but despite being called a 'Global' Health Insurance Card, like the EHIC, it too only works within the EU. Neither card is a subistitute for trafvel insurance as they onlyt provide basic care. and you could run in to trouble if you need to be repatriated or need specialist care.
Hope this helps

[LouiseCastricum]

quote
Perhaps worth explaining that Gesy health schene membership as far as I know is limited to Cypriots, and eligible British expats who either work here and pay social insurance, or are retired with an S1 and Cyprus residents papers.
unquote

Not just for British expats, but for everyone who either work here and pay Soc.Ins. or are retired with an S1 and residents papers.

[PhotoLady]

The GHIC is for tourists requiring "necessary" healthcare which cannot wait until returning from your holiday resort:

https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase ... 6795/en-us

[jagwheels]

As a tourist my only real concern is the point souniman made. Repatriation which without medical insurance is a very expensive process but a little story. Couple visit Israel & husband dies. Officials said we can bury him here for £90 but repatriation will cost £20,000. I want him repatriated from Israel because Jesus died here & arose again

[Kili01]

Sorry Jeba and Louise, I was writing this addressed mainly to British tourists,.
Yes, of course your point that Gesy membership is available to all that work here in Cyprus and pay social insurance ,plus those who are retired here with an S1 and Cyprus residency papers.
Cyprus is a small place, and Gesy Doctors are mostly busy. As far as I'm aware having read UK.GOV emails relating to tourist visits to Cyprus, is that following Brexit, some things have changed. British Tourists, (non EU), were advised to take out their own travel insurance policies, which would cover them for all medical risks, and includes hospital in patient expenses and in case of need, repatriation to their own country, Most health care in Cyprus carries health service charge. Private hospital charges and repatriation are expensive or very expensive.

Dee

[sued51]

If you’re going to another country on holiday, you buy travel insurance, it’s not expensive (I paid £6.48 for one adult and one child for a week) you are then covered - why would anyone go on holiday without it?