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Former RAF airman to battle UK over health agreement
A RETIRED RAF officer is going into battle on behalf of veterans and current servicemen ambushed by the scrapping of the Isle of Man's health agreement with the UK.
Flight Lieutenant Jim Kewin, 66, has discovered that servicemen and women will be among those who from April next year will no longer be entitled to free UK healthcare.
And the parents of war hero Lieutenant James Adamson — awarded the Military Cross for his courage in action — say it is desperately unfair that he, and other Manx servicemen, will be deprived free health care when they are risking their own lives to keep Britain safe.
Fl Lt Kewin says he was shocked to be informed that his illustrious 35-year RAF service would have 'no bearing' and he will have to take out private medical insurance.
But as he suffers from angina and has had a series of operations for a bowel condition, he fears he will not be able to leave the Island as insurance will be too expensive or even unavailable.
He fears there will be many others who've fought for the British Crown who will face the same plight. There are 30 Manx men and women currently serving in Afghanistan who could find themselves denied free healthcare when they leave the Forces.
Mr Kewin, who is press officer for the Island branch of the Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), now hopes to put pressure on the UK Government to have a change of heart.
Island residents could face a hefty bill from April next year if they fall ill or have an accident while visiting the UK as only initial A&E treatment will remain free.
Among those exempt from charges will be UK state pensioners who have paid National Insurance in the UK for 10 consecutive years or more.
Mr Kewin queried whether he would be covered by this exemption.
But the UK Department of Health's 'customer service centre' told him: 'Your service in the RAF does not have any bearing on the situation, nor does your being in receipt of a military pension.
'The healthcare is only available to UK state pensioners. A military pension is not classed as a UK state pension and is therefore not subject to the same rules.'
Born in Greeba, Mr Kewin joined the RAF straight after leaving Douglas High School at the age of 18.
In a letter published this week in the Daily Telegraph, he wrote: 'In 1961, as a Manxman aged 18, I joined the Royal Air Force and enjoyed a career flying in support of my country. Having served 35 years, I retired and returned home to the Isle of Man.
'I hoped that having served my country and paid British tax for 35 years, I would continue to be afforded the standard medical treatment within Britain. The Isle of Man currently has more than 30 personnel serving in Afghanistan and we are concerned that on completion of their service they will be denied medical care.'
During his 35-year career, he flew with Victors, Shackletons, Vulcans and Nimrods from bases in the UK and was also posted to the Far East, based at RAF Changi in Singapore.
Lieutenant James Adamson, 24, who serves with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was awarded the Military Cross for his 'supreme physical courage' in making a bayonet charge against enemy forces protecting the lives of other soldiers.
His parents Andy and Trisha, of Gladstone Avenue, Ramsey, said: 'Manx soldiers, sailors and airmen are fighting to keep terrorism off the streets of Britain and it does seem desperately unfair to be treated in this fashion.'
Jamie, who served a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, is currently in the Falklands on exercises but is due back home for four weeks at Christmas. However, he is scheduled to go back to Afghanistan in October.
Mum Trish said: 'It's a total nightmare. It will be worse when he goes back. It will be even more difficult.'
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Meanwhile, the continuing furore over the ending of the reciprocal agreement was raised again in Tynwald, with questions about the bilateral health deal that the UK continues to have with a host of countries, including Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
Health Minister Eddie Teare said he could not speculate on why the UK had chosen to continue to have agreements with these countries but added perhaps they were seen as a being of benefit to the UK taxpayer.
Mr Teare revealed that 'dialogue had been established' with the Tory shadow minister of health and he had been 'encouraged' by the response.
The minister also confirmed that the Scottish government had shown an interest in having a reciprocal health agreement with the Island.
But Speaker Steve Rodan pointed out the offer came six months ago and negotiations had still not begun. Mr Teare said he was still awaiting confirmation from the UK about whether the devolved government of Scotland could enter into reciprocal agreements with the Isle of Man.
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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YOUR COMMENTS
I find it pretty disgraceful that British service men and women are expected to risk their lives for "democracy" in Afganistan, while at the same time we DO NOT have democracy in Britain. Yes , it is true – don't let people kid you, Britain is led by people not elected by Britons and they are making decisions on our behalf.
RON, Douglas
Jim Kewin has merely highlighted one ramification with this appalling debacle. Manx residents had assumed that Eddie Teare was quietly working hard to achieve the continuation of the Reciprocal Health Agreement. It has served us well for 40 years, removing health concerns for us visiting EU countries and them coming here. I am not aware that Tynwald or the population have never been told the cost of the agreement - it may not be that high, but the alternative is a mountain of administrative chaos with complex rules and no doubt many confused and angry residents and visitors. Our weak Government have reduced us to the level of a banana republic - is it really too hard for them to negotiate this as a matter of extreme urgency?
STEVEH
As I type my partner is in Afghanistan for the third time this year, risking his life for a war the UK government entered into to help minimize terrorist threat within the country. It is nothing short of disgraceful that the islands people and its UK visitors should be put in such a position over medical attention, especially with regards to our servicemen and women - clearly the UK government places little/no value to their selfless contribution for the good of the nation. Where's the government support and respect? ... lacking like the equipment! Fl Lt Kewin you have my full support. Joanna Lumley made a stand for the Gurkhas, straighten your spine Manx government - stand up for your people and for what is only right, fair and just for the islands past, present and future armed service personnel.
ANON
I can only support the views already expressed. I am a (half-Manx) UK taxpayer but am more than happy for my money to go towards the healthcare of servicemen fighting on behalf of the UK. What can we do to help? Downing Street petition? I'll have a look to see if there is one. If not, I'll start one!
JO
There IS a petition on the Downing Street web site. Google Downing Street Petitions Go to the Health section and look for this:
Petition to: Reinstate the Reciprocal Health Agreement between the United Kingdom and the .. I've signed it. Can you publicise it?
JO SWADKIN
I now have the web address.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/HealthcareIOMUK
JO SWADKIN
What about the service men and women who are in receipt of a war pension? They are entitled to priority treatment, for the condition they receive the pension for, so surely if admitted with the condition in the UK they should not have to pay. Will this be denied if they are manx though? Something to consider.
SARAH, Douglas
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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