Hi all,

My Niece is visiting me just now for a couple of week by surprise. Her parents didn't have time to get her EHIC card and she's recently been diagnosed as being asthmatic .

We got a spare inhaler for her at the last minute and if there is any emergency of course we'd go straight to the hospital. Would a British passport be valid in lieu of an EHIC card?

She has a separate travel insurance policy also.

Thanks in advance

Your niece will have to pay for the doctor and reclaim the cost later from the NHS. She should ensure she is having only basic medical procedures and not staying at a private hospital!

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthc...itzerland.aspx

If she declared the asthma on the travel insurance she'll be covered for care. When my mum came over she had to declare a couple of conditions she has (minor heart problem and BP). The travel insurance was pretty pricey because of it but should would have been covered if she'd needed treatment for a related complication.

If asthma is NOT on her medical notes in the UK, and this is a totally NEW thing, she should be covered by her travel Insurance. Have you registered as a family with a local GP yet? It is VERY important to build a good relationship with your local GP before emergencies happen- Much easier to ask for advice and support, if you have said relationship in place. Sadly the pollen season is now in full swing which does not help. Ask her parents to get the EHIC card today and send it immediately over.

Well it would be in her notes, but she wouldn't have been diagnosed when the travel insurance policy was taken out. They have a running policy with their bank.

I have CallMed so I'm not suppose to register with a local GP. I asked my GP and he said there is no need to officially register.

She's been here a day and has had no wheezyness but I like to prepare for the worst and her Dad has applied for the EHIC cards for the family as they are coming over as well soon.

The EHIC cards usually come within 4 days if ordered online - it is really a quick service.
These bank running policies can be quite tricky as I know someone who although they were not diagnosed when the policy was taken out refused to cover as they say that ANY change in your medical status must be told to them straight away.
(Of course they then insist on a hefty surcharge)

Smackerjack is right - Insurance will probably say they should have been told when she was diagnosed with asthma. Get them to send her EHIC card the minute they get hers.
As your GP says, no need to register formally here, but to meet up and get to know her/him is very useful in the long term. Do check your contract for the flat if you have lots of relatives arriving for longer than a few days though.