Britons who emigrate have been warned by Shelter Offshore to ensure they are accustomed with the healthcare practices and have suitable medical care in place in their new country instead of relying on the NHS.

Director at Shelter Offshore Rhiannon Davies commented that popular emigration retreats such as Cyprus and Turkey offer very good health alternatives which must be taken advantage of should the worse happen.

Ms Davies warned: "If you move to live abroad and cut all ties with the UK, don't automatically assume you can always fall back on the good old NHS. Checking with the likes of SAGA and the British Embassy in the given nation to get their advice is the best thing to do''

As it stands Britons whom have reached retirement age are entitled to free healthcare despite not living in the country, but those under pension age or not working are thought to not be eligible for the benefit.