Further to the recent well publicised article in the popular Classic Racer Magazine regarding road race competitor Les Trotter’s wife Doreen having unfortunately been taken seriously ill, whilst at the Pre-TT Classic Races, and after having been initially treated in Nobles Hospital had to be flown off Island to Liverpool for further treatment and subsequently received an invoice for the air ambulance service.

Whilst Les, as a licenced ACU Competitor would have been covered through the ACU, had he been involved in a racing incident, as would any FMN licenced competitor who had been granted start permission by his/her FMN, other members of the ‘team’ are not – this applies to all other ACU approved motorcycle events on the Isle of Man and to all visitors.

Under the reciprocal healthcare agreement, UK residents will receive free NHS treatment if they become ill whilst in the Isle of Man apart from statutory charges such as prescription charges.

Although treatment is free, repatriation is not part of the agreement.

Information leaflets are also available advising visitors to the Isle of Man to take out appropriate insurance due to repatriation not being covered as part of the reciprocal healthcare agreement and vice versa for Isle of Man residents visiting the UK.

This situation has been in place since 2010 when the UK amended the full reciprocal healthcare agreement, so ensure that you have the necessary Repatriation Insurance in place in case anything unfortunate happens such as an accident or emergency that requires being flown to an UK hospital, which would normally be Liverpool, Aintree who currently hold the Isle of Man’s major trauma contract.

Further information on this can be found on the Isle of Man Government website at the following link: -