Solving Dreadnought Medical Service disruption for seafarers in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Nautilus has been made aware that some seafarer patients based in Scotland and Northern Ireland have had difficulties accessing the UK Dreadnought Medical Service.

This is due to administrative issues in transferring funds from the devolved nations' healthcare budgets to pay for the care of patients treated in England.

The Union's head of professional and technical David Appleton said: 'Nautilus believes that this situation is entirely unacceptable and is committed to restoring a fit-for-purpose service across the UK.

'To this end, we have made representations at the highest level in Scotland, Northern Ireland and with the UK government, with the aim of putting in place a long-term solution to resolve the problem once and for all.'

In the meantime, seafarers residing in Northern Ireland and Scotland wishing to be referred to the Dreadnought are advised to follow the procedure as set out on the Seafarers' Hospital Society (SHS) website  and to contact Nautilus in the event that they experience any difficulties.

Based at St Thomas' Hospital in London, the Dreadnought service offers NHS treatment for working seafarers (including Merchant Navy seafarers, fishing crew, pilots, tugboat crew, and cadets), and in some cases, their dependants. This can be vital for crew members on merchant ships who are not permitted to work if they have certain medical conditions, in case of an emergency whilst at sea. The service is not a separate unit in the hospital – patients are treated in whatever ward or facility is best suited to their needs. A wide range of medical treatment is available to those eligible for the service, from dentistry to heart surgery.

The service takes its name from one of the original hospital ships set up by the SHS on the Thames at Greenwich after the Napoleonic Wars. Today it is part of the UK National Health Service and operates onshore rather than offshore.

To be referred to the Dreadnought service, a seafarer needs a GP or approved company doctor letter of referral, and the GP or approved doctor will also have to fill in an information form.

Find out more about the service and how to access it on the SHS website.