Hi again Christine.
I have been to Paris and had an NA treatment on one hand. I am due to return in September to have the other hand treated. I was given a receipt and told to claim the money back from the NHS. This is proving very difficult to do.
My emails to the DH revealed that; 1. The E112 only pays back the cost of treatment and only if one goes down the road of, a referral from a Consultant and agreement from the PCT.
2. This is the reply I have had regarding the EU regulations.

While you have indicated you do not wish to apply for treatment under the
E112 procedure, you still need to apply to your local Primary Care Trust
(PCT) for them to decide whether they will fund your treatment in France.
However, if the specific procedure (needle fasciotomy) for Dupuytrens
Contracture is not a benefit provided by the NHS, you will not have a
automatic right to have this procedure provided in France, at NHS expense.

The European Community health care Regulations are silent about
accommodation and travel costs. However, there is a case before the
European Court of Justice, on this issue, and until they rule on it PCTs
are not obliged to meet these costs.

Like I said, Banging heads on brick walls produces nothing but headaches. However, I have been in touch with the local MP who has passed my comment to the Minister for Health.
Lets see what happens with that.

Sara,
I also have written to my MP who has contacted the Minister of Health who in turn has passed my claim to my local PCT. It will be interesting to see what comes of that.
You are correct, it is not really worth claiming the cost back unless travel etc can be claimed also. I feel sorry for the people who are suffering who cannot afford to travel for the procedure.

I agree the more fuss we make the better - I think that a lawyer could challenge the DoH as a breach of EU lay and there is no question that the PCT can choose to reimburse - I know of cases of very expensive operation that was reimbursed following an NHS complaint.
You can make a complaint to the PCT about their refusal to commission the service and if you are not satisfied (which you won't be unless they pay you). You can go to the Healthcare Commission - a very important body responsiiblee for standards and inspection and finally to the Ombudsman. The Healthcare Commission is parituarly interested in what complaints can tell them about the systems and implmentation of standards. I would recommend going down this line.
I have thought about it, but unfortunately I am a bad example for NA. My DP gallops and returns every 3 months. While I am a complete fan of NA, it is likely that an operation in my case may be more long lasting - not that I am going for that option - I prefer Paris any day.

I have made a claim for repayment of the NA to my PCT via my MP. I will let you all know how it goes.

Hello Rita,
Here is the web page for details of doctors who do the NA procedure in France and other countries in Europe. Most of them include their email address.
http://assoc.wanadoo.fr/f.badois-dupuytren/html/gblist.html
You do not need any paperwork. Just email the doctor you decide to use and attach pictures of your hand.
Good luck