Question
Can I continue to get treatment in the UK if I leave the UK?
4 September 2007. Related: Access to treatment, All topics, Newly diagnosed, Starting treatment.
Hi there,
I have just been told about my HIV-positive status and you can imagine how my life has been since (it has been only 2 months). I have a question that is making me think about it even at night and causing me to loose sleep.
I am an Italian, living in UK (London) since 1990, and so far I have received excellent treatment at my local hospital. My problem is that I am planning to go to Kenya next year (planned for over 2 years now) to help my friend with work. I plan to come back here to keep a check of my health when required, but I have been told that if Ieave the UK for more then 3 months I will loose the right for free medication.
Is it true? If it is, would be enough for me to come back in UK every 3 months? help pls because I am going crazy about it
Answer
Hi
Have you had your CD4 count and viral load results yet?
This may be able to give you an idea of when you became HIV-positive and when you may need to use treatment. These results may change the following advice.
Generally, if you don’t need treatment, then getting your routine monitoring tests, either here, or in Kenya, should be fine until you need treatment.
When you need treatment, so long as you still have an address in the UK – or can use a friends address – your clinic will still be able to provide treatment.
It would be very unusual for your clinic to ask about where you have been, and as an EU citizen, you could access treatment in the UK anyway.
It is not unusual for people who want to work or live abroad for a time, to continue getting their healthcare in the UK, travelling back for monitoring and treatment. Most people would work with their doctor on this, who if they know your situation, may be able to prescribe 4-6 months of treatment, rather than just the standard three months.
Do you know anyone else who is HIV-positve?
If not, or if you’d like to speak to someone else who is, in confidence, perhaps call the i-Base treatment phoneline.
I know this is all very new and rough at the moment – with support and time it will get easier – and knowing that treatment is generally both safe and effective, means that you can continue to plan and lead an active life including your plans for living in another country.
Technically, it is correct to say that if you Ieave the UK for more then 3 months then you may no longer qualify for free NHS care. Qualifying for free NHS care is by being “normally resident” ie you are living permanently in England.
In practice,it’s not so clear cut,especially if you maintain a long-term link with the UK,eg working in Kenya is for a while (even if a year or two). Many people work overseas for extended periods and still get HIV care in England.