Can Scottish NHS patients be referred to English hospitals?

Hi,

Does anyone know if any NHS patient (I am in Scotland) can be referred to a different hospital, eg, a hospital in Manchester, for their cancer treatment?  Does anyone have experience of this?

Thanks,

Annemarie

  • Hello Annemarie. 

    I know that these "rules" do vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I'm afraid that I don't know the answer to your particular question however you could have a look at the NHS Inform website which is Scotland's national health information service. They also have a helpline contact number which you could call. 

    Failing that do speak to your Mum's GP or Consultant who will be able to help. I hope that her scan today has brought some answers. 
    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Thank you for the advice. I am trying to make sense of it all.

    Does it mean that if my mother moves to England to live with family there and registers with a GP there she will be able to access cancer treatment in England. I really believe she is at a disadvantage in terms of her treatment in Scotland. Her helath board has poor rates of survival for ovarian cancer.

    Thanks,

    Anneamarie