King Edward Memorial Hospital is the only general hospital on the island. It has the usual departments one would expect and most basic problems can be managed on island. Many people however choose or are advised to go overseas for surgery or complex problems.

All medical care on island is private, bar a minority of local people with just the basic government health cover. The hospital is on the outskirts of Hamilton city and within 12 miles of any part on the island. A second hospital, Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute looks after mental health problems and learning disabilities. This is in one of the central parishes. Psychiatric care is covered by insurance.

Locally problems such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, renal dialysis, orthopaedic surgery, childbirth, paediatrics are all covered in the same fashion as a district general hospital would cover back in UK. You do have an element of choice afforded through your insurance - for example I have one friend who had knee replacement on island and another who went to Boston.

Prescription medicines are covered through your insurance. This is one area which is better than UK as there is no co-pay for common prescription items, compared with the standard prescription charge in UK. Some that are OTC in UK are not available without prescription here - for example oral antifungals.

Others surprisingly are available OTC such as some sleeping tablets and strong laxatives. Many vitamins are available in pharmacies.