THE new reciprocal health agreement between the UK and the Isle of Man will come into force on October 1.

The agreement will ensure that Isle of Man residents visiting the UK will continue to receive free healthcare and the same will apply for UK residents visiting the Isle of Man.

The main points of the agreement are the same as the temporary agreement which is in place at the moment:

1. Manx residents visiting the UK will receive free NHS treatment if they become ill while in the UK, apart from statutory charges which UK residents have to pay, such as prescription charges.

2. UK residents visiting the Isle of Man will receive free NHS treatment if they become ill while in the Isle of Man, apart from statutory charges which Isle of Man residents have to pay, such as prescription charges.

3. No payments for such treatment will be made to the Isle of Man by the UK, nor by the UK to the Isle of Man.

4. The treatment of Manx residents referred to the UK by the Isle of Man will continue to be paid for by the Isle of Man Health Service.

5. Each party to the agreement can give 12 months notice of termination of the agreement.

The Island's Department of Health is stressing repatriation is not - and never has been - covered by the reciprocal healthcare agreement.

The department recommends that all residents who travel off the Island should make sure that they have appropriate and adequate insurance in place to cover repatriation.

Also see: Chief Minister Tony Brown reacts to new health deal

              Isle of Man gets new reciprocal health deal