Private medical insurance providers have been advised not to forget UK patients who need to go overseas for treatment.

According to an European Commission directive, those in the UK should be allowed to travel to another country within the EU and be allowed to access healthcare.

Baroness Howarth, chair of the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on Social Policy and Consumer Affairs, says: “We are pleased that the European Commission is proposing to give patients across the EU clear guidance on their right to cross-border healthcare. The current ad hoc arrangements are unsatisfactory and clear new rules are essential."

"Most patients will still want to be treated locally but everyone will at least have the opportunity to seek healthcare abroad, and to do so in possession of detailed information on what they can expect at each stage of the process. We don't know yet what impact the Directive will have on the numbers of patients wanting to travel to and from the UK for treatment," he added.