Sarah's story
This is my story. We moved to S.W. France (47) in August 2002. A year later, my partner was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer at Agen hospital. We had no French medical cover and were told our E111 would not cover the cost of treatment here. We returned to London where Andrew's case was fully diagnosed after extensive tests. He embarked on a course of radiotherapy and two sessions of chemotherapy which made him very ill.
In December we returned to France for him to end his days in the place he loved best. The local doctor always came promptly and prescribed all the relevant medications (at a cost). By mid-February it was obvious I could no longer care for him at home and so reluctantly we made the decision to return to London by ambulance. He died at Charing Cross hospital six days later at the age of 57. I have subsequently lodged the medical bills with L'Assurance Maladie Securite Sociale and am waiting to hear if the 2000 euros we paid out will be reimbursed on his E111. Andrew had nothing but praise for the hospital in Agen and would have much preferred to be treated here if it had been possible. Although this case has no happy ending I would be happy to assist anyone in the same unfortunate position but obviously I do no have much experience of the system here.
Sarah