Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Did anyone out there attend this meeting, did you learn anything new and benefit from it? We are due to go to the meeting this afternoon. Thanks

What we did learn is there is no change for expat health care cover for those residing in the TRNC. The case presented to the Minister is still under review. You can get emergency primary health care via NHS facilities. The rule appears to be you must be resident in the UK for full health care, EHIC etc. The TRNC is NOT classed as being within the EEA.

Can I be really rude and ask how long the meeting went on for and was it worth gong too

It started at 1100 and completed at 1215 ish. There was some useful Consular advice and FCO health care clarification. Inevitably, the q/a session became a bit of a bun fight where individuals wanted answers to their specific needs or views on Government decisions. The speakers could, of course, only reiterate the current policy, but agreed to pass concerns upwards.

I agree with Tomsteel. In my view, some gave the Consular team an unnecessarily hard time during the Q & A session. The old chestnut was given an airing, namely that it is unfair that we in the TRNC are barred from full access to the NHS, yet other foreign nationals who have made no contribution appear to have full access, this despite the fact that we have paid in to the system for years and still pay UK taxes. To bring it up at the meeting was, in my view, simply a waste of valuable time because most, if not all, in the audience are aware of the situation, as was the Team, BUT they are simply operating within the rules laid down by the government and have no power to amend the rules, so no point in berating them.

I should add that most of us knew that this system was extant when we moved here. I realise too, that there is precious little that we, as individuals, can do about this, apart from letters to our MP and I am sure that the Consular Team were sympathetic to our case but there is not much they can do either, except to highlight our views to government, which they agreed to do.

I agree with the foregoing it was a pity so much time was spent on repetition of complaints most of us share,but the team were not responsible for and could do nothing about. However some of us did actually move here before the British Government moved the goalposts. I only hope they understood and will pass on the inequality and unfairness of the situation.

What was good was that the High Commisson had recogised the existance and, to some extent, the needs of North Cyprus and prepared to appear in public. I hope they will do it again, particularly in the case of reunification, and suggest that we could present a better case if those of us who dont feel we are otherwise represented could get together and present a united front and submission.