Mental health support for British nationals in Cuba
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Cuba
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 104 and ask for the ambulance or 106 for the police or go to the emergency department at any general hospital. Emergency services are available in most of the country although they may only be available in Spanish. If you are in Havana, you can get an ambulance from the Cira Garcia Clinic by calling (53) 7204 2811. This service involves a fee.
For less urgent medical attention see our list of medical facilities in Cuba. The Ministry of Public Health is in charge of all public health services in Cuba, but provision is limited and not available to foreigners.
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter.
Prescriptions
You may find it difficult to find certain medicines in Cuba. If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Cuba is extended for any reason.
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Cuba, you should approach a local doctor who can provide advice. Check if this will be covered by your insurance.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Cuba. This can help doctors treating you locally to find a similar medication if the one you use is not available.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities in Cuba are extremely limited and basic. You should consider whether this impacts your ability to travel there.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Cuba you should approach a local doctor who can provide advice. Check if this will be covered by your insurance.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if they are thought to be a risk to themselves or others. This is comparable to ‘sectioning’ in the UK but there are significant differences in procedure and law. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Cuba without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in a facility, such as a Mental Health Crisis Unit, although they provide only basic services, you will still be charged for treatment.
If you are detained in hospital and treated against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance. If you do not have any insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds before your discharge from hospital.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity,’ speak to a lawyer in Cuba. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’ but UK deputies are unlikely to be recognised in Cuba.
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.