Liz Lynne MEP advises Festive Travellers to get their cards

5.12.00pm GMT Mon 14th Nov 2005

West Midlands residents planning to celebrate the New Year abroad this year are

being urged to get their applications in early for the new medical card

intended to give them access to 'hassle-free' treatment across Europe.

With record numbers of Britons expected to travel over the Christmas period,

Liz welcomes the introduction of the card and says it will give greater confidence and security to travellers

Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne is once again warning that E111 forms are no longer valid in the European Union after 1 January 2006.

The European Parliament approved plans last year to introduce a credit card

style pass that give EU citizens access to all forms of health care when

travelling in Europe.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaces the old style E111 forms

that only provided travellers access to emergency treatment when on the

continent. The new EU rules extend the type of medical treatment that can

be given and means that cardholders can go straight to any local doctor if

they fall ill without first registering with local authorities.

All UK citizens can apply for the new health card by picking up an EHIC form

at their local Post Office, but Liz Lynne warns that applications are

taking up to 21 days to process so, as she first advised in June, holidaymakers should leave plenty of time.

Liz welcomes the introduction of the card and says it will give

greater confidence and security to travellers:

"No longer will people be forced to plough through an array of forms in order to get healthcare in other EU countries. Instead, they will have a single card that can be used anywhere. The E111 form is to pass into distant memory.

"This will be of particular value to people with long term chronic illnesses as they will be able to travel throughout the European Union without worrying. It will be

one less hassle for all travellers, workers and students living within the European Union.

"It is also an example of the EU at its best, extending services,

getting rid of red tape, and making it easier for travellers to get

treatment easily if they fall ill anywhere in Europe."