What's an EHIC?

The free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles the holder to free or discounted medical treatment in state-run hospitals in any European Union country, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

If you're in Europe and you've got an EHIC you’ll be entitled to receive the same treatment that local citizens are entitled to, which is extremely useful in emergencies. It’s completely free and valid for up to five years.

Does it make treatment free?

No. As you get treated the same way as a citizen of that country, if they get free medical treatment you do too; if they pay, you pay the same rates. As this is a reciprocal agreement across Europe, it also means EU citizens can use the NHS in the same way.

It’s also worth noting the EHIC doesn’t cover illnesses or injuries that you had before you set out.

• Ensure you keep the card with you at all times.
  
  Absurdly, the terms stipulate you won't be covered if you haven’t got it on you. Don’t leave it behind at the hotel if you’re out and about, and take it to the beach if you have to.
   
• You may need to pay and claim later.
  
  Though the EHIC allows you instant free treatment in some countries, in others you'll need to pay and reclaim the money while you're there, or when you get back to the UK. Use the Country by country guide below to find out which applies to you, and call the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team on 0191 218 1999 if you need to make a claim.

The FlightChecker is a unique tool specifically designed to help find these budget airlines' sales seats. Eg you can ask it to find all the £10 and under flights during Dec, either to a specific destination or select 'I'll go anywhere'

If you get into trouble whilst visiting an EU country you will now be covered by new legislation.

EU ambassadors on behalf of 26 governments including the UK have today approved a measure on the right to interpretation and translation in trials held in an EU country where the defendant does not understand the local language.

The text was negotiated under new powers of 'co-decision' between the European Parliament and the EU Council represented by the Spanish Presidency.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford is the European Parliament's draftsperson or 'rapporteur' for the directive and conducted the negotiations.

She worked hard on the case of the British planespotters, has recently campaigned to stop the extradition of Garry Mann to Portugal and is currently involved in support of her constituent Andrew Symeou who is due to stand trial in Greece after being in jail there for a year after his return under a European Arrest Warrant

Sarah Ludford said:

"This measure is the first in a series set to cover information on rights, legal aid, consular assistance and a 'letter of rights'. I am extremely pleased that the UK under the new coalition government is participating on the sensible and pragmatic grounds that better justice means more efficient law enforcement while respecting civil liberties."

The legislation will mean that, within the EU, when a suspect is detained or taken to court but does not speak the language, he or she will for the first time have the right to interpretation in all key proceedings and translation of all essential written documents.
 

17 Wheelchair Accessible Rentals and Vacation accommodation in Devon and Cornwall.

Facilities for people who are disabled or have reduced mobility

Condor Ferries works hard to meet the needs of all our passengers, including disabled people or those with reduced mobility. Our crew have received Disability Awareness Training, ensuring high standards of customer care and service excellence.
Condor Ferries Facilities

Your Disability Benefits while on Holiday

If you, either as a disabled person or as a carer, are in receipt of benefits it is important to know how going on holiday will effect these. If you take a holiday abroad you can usually continue to receive your Disability Living Allowance for 26 weeks. However, if you are travelling abroad in order to receive medical treatment with regard to your disability or illness it may be possible to receive your Disability Living Allowance for a longer period of time. This only applies if your stay abroad is temporary.

If you are going to live abroad on a permanent basis it may still be possible to claim the care component of your Disability Living Allowance if you are moving to live in a country that is part of the European Economic area or Switzerland.

Attendance Allowance
If you are staying abroad as a temporary measure you can usually carry on claiming your Attendance Allowance for 26 weeks. It may be possible to continue to receive Attendance Allowance for a longer period than 26 weeks if your stay abroad is for medical treatment for your disability or illness. Your stay must, however, be only temporary. If your move abroad is on a permanent basis it may still be possible to claim your Attendance Allowance as long as the country you are moving to is in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Incapacity Benefit
If you are going abroad it is important that you let your local job centre or job centre plus know. It is possible, if your stay abroad is only temporary, to continue to receive incapacity benefit for the first 26 weeks of your stay abroad if, on the day that you depart, you have been incapable of work for a continuous period of 6 months, or if your incapacity has been less than 6 months but the specific objective of going abroad is to seek medical treatment for your illness or disability that had begun before your departure.

It may be possible to receive incapacity benefit, when you are abroad, for longer than 26 weeks if your stay abroad is on a temporary basis and that you also receive Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance.

Living Abroad On A Permanent Basis
If may be possible to claim a benefit for incapacity if you are moving to live in a country that has a reciprocal agreement with the UK. You should contact your local job centre or job centre plus office to find out more information

Carer's Allowance
You may continue to receive Carer's Allowance if you take a temporary holiday from caring for someone. During a 26 week period, a total of 4 weeks break can be taken. Carer's Allowance may also continued to be paid if you, or the person being cared for, has to go into hospital. It is important that you let the Carer's Allowance Unit know if you take a break from caring due to the person you are caring for, or you, have to go into hospital or if you are going on holiday.

It may be possible to receive Carer's Allowance for longer if you are going abroad to assist the person you care for and the person being cared for is still able to receive Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. Your stay, however, must be temporary. If your move abroad is on a permanent basis it may still be possible to receive Carer's Allowance if you are moving to a country in the European Economic Area or to Switzerland.


Many thanks to ... Disabled Travel Advice ... check out their site !!

Devon  business wins tourism accolade ...

In Devon, the Thurlstone Hotel won the gold award for excellence and was named Large Hotel of the Year, at the Enjoy England Awards.

The hotel is a luxurious, classic, family-run four-star country hotel looking out across the sea. Ideal to just relax, unwind, indulge in style, or just to get away from it all. Owned by the Grose family since 1896, the Thurlestone Hotel is in a class of it's own. For over 100 years, guests have enjoyed it's character, hospitality and first-class service. That’s why 72% of our business is returning guests.

Providing excellent access & disabled facilities the Hotel's Mission statement is ...
“ We strive to exceed our guests expectations so that they will wish to return”

For full details of the Hotel and services available to the disabled guest visit their website ...

http://www.thurlestone.co.uk/access-statement.htm
 

Carriage for disabled people on Swanage Railway

A refurbished railway carriage for disabled travellers on the Swanage Railway in Dorset has been unveiled.

The 64-seat carriage has been converted to an open-access carriage with room for at least 10 wheelchair users.

The carriage still has 32 seats in it and contains a fully equipped disabled toilet.


Money for the £50,000 refurbishment was raised by volunteers, disabled charities and Swanage Railway. The project took three years to complete.

Previously, disabled passengers had to travel in the guard's compartment.


 

OpenBritain is the new high quality printed guide published by national charities Tourism for All UK and RADAR. 

It includes accessible accommodation, as well as attractions, equipment hire, an extensive section on Getting There and Back and other services.

The OpenBritain 2010 guide is available to order at £9.99 plus £4.99 p&p.

To order online please click here http://dlf-news.org.uk/76L-3ZG5-P0283-2AVJE-0/c.aspx , or contact us
Tourism for All 08451 249971 or by email to info@tourismforall.org.uk.

The Travel Market is a specialist division of the Sun4u Leisure Group, one of the leading independent travel companies in the UK. Using the latest technologies The Travel Market website provides great value, flexible holidays which combine flights from a broad spectrum of airlines, including low cost and charter carriers, with a choice from many thousands of holiday accommodation providers worldwide to create some of the best value holidays in the travel market.

If you need travel money or want to buy off foreign websites, you can easily boost your spending power by £100s with the best exchange rates. This step by step guide finds your cheapest deal for every holiday. It may be the top specialist overseas credit or prepaid card or using the free Travel Money Maximiser tool for the best currency conversion wherever you go.

Plus a special warning for anyone with Halifax, RBS, NatWest, Abbey or Lloyds TSB Debit cards, these are the cards from hell. Use them abroad and you could waste a fortune.