Masterob you write in your first paragraph " as I understand it" and then in your third para " I was under the impression" well I can assure you that your understanding and impression are well misplaced, anybody can get treatment on the NHS and I mean anybody, the rules are so slack, if you are outside the EEC you merely have to say you are living with friends at whatever address, often claiments use the same name, I have a friend who works as a receptionist at a large North London hospital and they had a case where thirteen different men were all using the same name and address, what checks are there when you register with a doctor or turn up at A & E ! as to the EEC and the idea that the newer member states had a system similar to our NIC scheme which the working classes paid into, well that is laughable, as I said you pay in for thirty odd years and then you are denied treatment, you still get your pension etc, its all double standards to save the government money, I notice there was no responce to my point regarding inheritance tax were all of a sudden the government want to know you again (excuse pun) when you are a gonner, they will still take your council tax even though you live in Spain and use no services, need I go on ?
Peter, so what is your real gripe, that you can´t be a medical tourist or that the rules need tightening to stop others getting treatment? If what you say about the ignored rules is true (sorry but I always take information of the "a friend told me" kind with some sceptism) then I agree the rules need tightening. If you want to be a medical tourist then I repeat, why? I have already said that I can´t see how you expect to get current NHS treatment when not now paying NI Contributions. What you paid in the past is irrelevant for the reasons I give above.
I don´t see why you consider all of this as double standards. How can you pay UK Council Tax if you live in Spain unless you still own a house in the UK in which case why do you think you shouldn´t have to pay Council Tax on it? Isn´t it a double standard if you really believe you shouldn´t?
Anyway, before you embark on your campaign it may help to read the rules, if you haven´t already see:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/fam ... abroad.htm