RupertW
Well-Known Member
I work in NHS admin and before Brexit and now working age British citizens from all over the world came back for non-emergency treatment who had been resident abroad for years. They needed to have their stories straight before first contact on how they were now residents in the UK indefinitely. The most common one was first babies and the most common story was that they had separated from their husband abroad and were living with parents now in the UK a d actively seeking work post baby.The people I referred to had cut all ties with UK, having taken up residence in Portugal. Being below retirement age they didn't qualify for the S1 scheme which maintains eligibility for NHS treatment. Before Brexit, those of us resident there were entitled to Portuguese EHIC which allowed treatment in any EU country but now have to have contributed to social security by working, to qualify for one.
Also lots of hips and knees from people in their 50s moving back to live with their adult children.
We knew, they knew but as long as they passed rules fairly plausibly everyone was happy. Second babies following an immediate reconciliation followed by another recent separation didn’t work quite so well, so an actual UK job was required of either party.