Serge's activity

Questions Asked

      A customer is the most important person on our premises, He is not dependent on us, We are dependent on him, He is not an interruption to our work, He is the purpose of it, He is not an outsider to our business, He is a part of us, We are no

Mon, 08/24/2009 - 03:00

Tokyo knocks Moscow off the top spot as the most expensive city for expatriates; Johannesburg is the cheapestAsian and European cities dominate the top 10Significant currency fluctuations and strengthening of dollar cause major  reshuffle in the r

Thu, 08/20/2009 - 05:33

This is the story of a Tuscan lady in her seventies who fell seriously ill and how she is coping with life afterwards.  One day recently this elderly lady suffered a stroke.  She was rushed to the local District General Hospital and after several

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 12:48

Lovers of Jazz may be interested in this event.http://www.sarteanojazz.it/programma2009.htm

Wed, 06/17/2009 - 14:12

I like all sorts of food from all over the world; one special dish that I like is based on a tropical soffritto.  I fry the chopped onion and crushed fresh stem ginger (available in Italian supernmarket) in sunflower oil until soft.

Sat, 06/06/2009 - 14:45

The pound appears to be on an upward trend trading at 1.16 Euro at midday: it was trading at 1.115 at the beginning of and middle of May. Sterling has steadily increased against the Euro during the last fortnight.

Wed, 06/03/2009 - 10:30

I was searching the local bookshop for an English/Italian dictionary for my 6 year old last week when I came across"1351 Parole inglesi per picoli e grandi"  Joseph P.

Tue, 06/02/2009 - 13:58

Five years after having tamed a hillside with an excavator (ruspa) and having created 6 levels, the borders and slopes are now coming into their own.  These are the flowers in bloom in our garden in Tuscany (600 metres above sea level).  As the ga

Tue, 06/02/2009 - 12:38

Comments posted

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:32

I agree with Alan H.  There is only health circular for Italy.  Dropping the Marche would encourage everybody to view and contribute.  I also think it should be healthcare in general.  For example, we spent 2 days trying to sort out a referral for my 6 year old daughter to a paediatric allergy centre.  Although the centre we finally found is in Florence the experience is valid for Italians and immigrants alike.  There are thousands of health related issues that can be shared.  I must confess (shame on me!) I rerely look at Marche specific posts. 

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:12

If you are buying or selling a home in the UK you now need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by Law.  From October 2008 an EPCs is required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. The certificate provides A to G ratings.  The average for a building is D.  The EPC along with the assciated report normally suggest ways of making the builiding more efficient.It costs on average £70 to £100 per flat/house and the certificate is valid for ten years.

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 04:20

We have read the article and agree with your conclusions.  It will make life easier in negotiations! Thanks for this!

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 03:41

Side shoots will appear where the leaf stalks join the stem cut or pinch them out when they are an inch long.  (You are already doing that).  If you do that regularly you should end up with only one main stem otherwise you would get more than one main stem.  Anything that is coming from below ground (I suspect you covered a leaf with earth and allowed the shoot to grow) should be removed as well when it is short and young.  You may damage the plant if you remove it when the plant is older. If you decide to remove an older shoot make sure you use a sharp knife.Remove yellow leaves below the fruit trusses as the season progresses but do not overdo this deleafing process.  Use a sharp knife (a pruning knife) to remove any unwanted foliage.  You should pinch out the tip of the plant about 2 leaves above the last fruit truss and after it has formed little tomatoes.  This will limit the height of the plant and channel the energy of the plant towards the existing fruit trusses.  How many trusses of fruits you have on each plant before you pinch out the tip is a matter for you to decide by trial and error and  on the variety you are growing.   

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 02:11

The Italian document on the UK-in-Italy website is not the translation of the Ministry of Health Circular of August 2007.  This is the Italian version on the Ministry of Health circular from their website.http://www.ministerosalute.it/assistenzaSanitaria/paginaInternaMenuAssis...Click on nota informativa del 3 august 2007I know you have the document and it is available as a download.  

Sat, 06/27/2009 - 06:59

From your original post and this post it seems to me that your Commune do not know what they want, but know what they do not want!   That is not strange situation for government agencies.  Back to health insurance!  Italian insurance companies, I understand, will offer private health care insurance to supplement state benefits, this is not comprehensive medical insurance but if your Commune will accept it and you can afford to pay as you go (payment for the equivalent of state benefits) for your health care then this is the policy for you.  Comprehensive health care insurance  will cover all elective care including hospitalisation in private hospitals, tests, outpatient consultations etc.  They could cost in excess of €2000 per annum for an individual: the premium would of course depend on the age of individual, the level of cover required, his/hers health status and the country it is valid for.  Most insurance companies also provide family cover.  I mention the country because I know private health care is cheaper in Italy than in the UK (I presume you are a UK citizen).   As mentionned in my previous post if you are resident in Italy technically you are not entitled to free healthcare from NHS UK.  When you are in the UK (or if elect to be treated in the UK) and you require medical treatment your private health insurance may not cover you unless you make specific provision for it.  This article provides more guidance.http://www.justlanded.com/english/Italy/Italy-Guide/Health/Private-Healt...A range of companies provide private medical insurance, BUPA International, SAI (an Italian company), AXA, even the Italian Post Office (I understand sells a policy to students, they may have other products) etc. For what it is worth you may want go and see the local mayor during his public sessions and ask him to clarify the Commune's position.  Alternatively, as you know in all countries, it is not what you know or what you are entitled to that matters but who you know.  If you know a local influential person locally get him or her to accompany you to the Commune and talk to Anagrafe.  Most of the time this will do the trick.   As I said there are two issues: what the Commune will accept and what your insurance needs are will dictate the type of policy you buy. Hope this helps and good luck!  

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:16

If my memory serves me right it started in France.  Lots of people were taking early retirement, available in the UK I understand from the age of 50 for a private pension or from that age if one is being made redundant from a government department or similar organisation, and settling in France.  The French Government started charging them as they were not workers, tourists, students, people over the official retirement age, officially unemployed and looking for work, dependents of a national of the country they are living in etc.  The EU agreed some new Directive to ensure these categories of people do not become a burden on the country's health system they are in and are treated exactly the same throughout Europe.  The E106 can be used in certain circumstances and the Italian Ministry of Health circular is very restrictive about this.  Please refer to the circulars that Penny have reseached and made available.The question of comprehensiveness is one that should be asked of the insurers of the risk: I would suggest it means everything included for health care below the age of 65 and the premium would reflect the health status of the person.

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:12

 

Moving to an EEA country

The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once you have moved permanently away from the UK you are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules.You must notify your former GP so that you and your family can be removed from the NHS register.You will also no longer be entitled to use your UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access healthcare abroad.Back to top

Receiving a UK state pension or long-term incapacity benefit

If you're receiving a UK state pension or long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for an E121, which you  need to present to the health authorities in your new country of residence. You will then be treated on the same basis as a resident of that country.It is advised to check what is covered before leaving the UK and make arrangements if necessary. Use the 'country-by-country guide' and select a country from the list for detailed information.For further advice, contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)International Pension Centre Tyneview Park Whitley Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BACustomers who are in receipt of a UK state pension can obtain an E121 by telephoning 0191 218 7777  (Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm).Customers who are in receipt of UK long-term incapacity benefit can obtain an E121 by telephoning the Working Age Group Incapacity Benefit team on 0191 21 87644 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm).The ESA team contact number is 0191 21 87037 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm).If at any time in the future, you want to come back to the UK for planned treatment you must consult your new authorities to find out the options available to you. However, you will be charged in the UK, unless you can provide an E112 issued by your country of residence.When visiting the UK on holiday you should obtain an EHIC issued by your country of residence.Back to top

In receipt of other UK benefits

If you get a UK benefit, such as short-term incapacity benefit or maternity allowance, your healthcare cover is subject to different rules; the period of your cover and application criteria may differ depending on your particular circumstances.For more information, contact the International Pension Centre (IPC) or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).Back to top

Healthcare provided under the E106

If you move to an EEA country to live but not work and don't receive a UK benefit, you may be eligible for up to two-and-a-half years of state healthcare, paid for by the UK.You will need to apply for an E106 with the the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) and prove that you have worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions up to three years before your departure.For further advice, contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) Room TC001 Tyneview Park Whitley Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BATel: 0191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm)The E106 will entitle you to treatment on the same basis as a resident of the country you moving to. This may mean that you have to make a patient contribution to the cost of your care.When the cover on the E106 expires, you cannot get any further medical cover from the UK until you are in receipt of a UK state pension. It is up to the country’s authorities to decided whether you are eligible to join their healthcare scheme. You will also be entitled to a UK-issued EHIC, allowing you to visit other EEA countries besides the one your are a resident with. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/Pages/Livingabroad.aspx 

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 12:08

Moving to an EEA country

The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once you have moved permanently away from the UK you are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules.You must notify your former GP so that you and your family can be removed from the NHS register.You will also no longer be entitled to use your UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access healthcare abroad.Back to top

Receiving a UK state pension or long-term incapacity benefit

If you're receiving a UK state pension or long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for an E121, which you  need to present to the health authorities in your new country of residence. You will then be treated on the same basis as a resident of that country.It is advised to check what is covered before leaving the UK and make arrangements if necessary. Use the 'country-by-country guide' and select a country from the list for detailed information.For further advice, contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)International Pension Centre Tyneview Park Whitley Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BACustomers who are in receipt of a UK state pension can obtain an E121 by telephoning 0191 218 7777  (Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm).Customers who are in receipt of UK long-term incapacity benefit can obtain an E121 by telephoning the Working Age Group Incapacity Benefit team on 0191 21 87644 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm).The ESA team contact number is 0191 21 87037 (Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm).If at any time in the future, you want to come back to the UK for planned treatment you must consult your new authorities to find out the options available to you. However, you will be charged in the UK, unless you can provide an E112 issued by your country of residence.When visiting the UK on holiday you should obtain an EHIC issued by your country of residence.Back to top

In receipt of other UK benefits

If you get a UK benefit, such as short-term incapacity benefit or maternity allowance, your healthcare cover is subject to different rules; the period of your cover and application criteria may differ depending on your particular circumstances.For more information, contact the International Pension Centre (IPC) or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).Back to top

Healthcare provided under the E106

If you move to an EEA country to live but not work and don't receive a UK benefit, you may be eligible for up to two-and-a-half years of state healthcare, paid for by the UK.You will need to apply for an E106 with the the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) and prove that you have worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions up to three years before your departure.For further advice, contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) Room TC001 Tyneview Park Whitley Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BATel: 0191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm)The E106 will entitle you to treatment on the same basis as a resident of the country you moving to. This may mean that you have to make a patient contribution to the cost of your care.When the cover on the E106 expires, you cannot get any further medical cover from the UK until you are in receipt of a UK state pension. It is up to the country’s authorities to decided whether you are eligible to join their healthcare scheme. You will also be entitled to a UK-issued EHIC, allowing you to visit other EEA countries besides the one your are a resident with.

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:18

Penny I agree with you there is a problem! I searched for "health" and most of the previous postings came up and then it was just a matter of going painstakingly through them until one finds the relevant material (if any).  Not too difficult you would think! This is what I do with Google, Wikipedia, Wikitravel, Encyclopedia Britannica, UK and Italian Government sites, NHS Direct and, for that matter, any site that I need to consult for some specific information.  Recently, I thought that this site could make available, as downloads, the most relevant circulars and laws on the popular topics about living in Italy; but then I thought there is a snag, who will take responsibilty for updating them because one could mislead by not making available the latest advice.  This is an onerous task that I do not think is fair to ask of the site organisers.  It is admirable, to say the least, that you have made available, for easy download, the circulars that you have found during your research.  If these were to stay on top of the list then they must be the most up-to-date available and it is a task that I would not wish on you.  At the risk of being even more controversial, most of the legal or quasi legal questions that I have encountered on this site could have been answered by consulting the UK-in-Italy website, the British Embassy website in Rome (this site is after all funded by taxes on UK residents).  One could ask the organisers of this site to make available on this site, links to other websites like UK-in-Italy, The Italian Ministry of Health, The Notaio etc, but then it is up to Ronald &co  to decide whether doing this fits their commercial aims and if does fit what resources they are willing to devote to its development and maintenance. Back to the problem, one wants to be as helpful as possible, but I must admit, sometimes I ask myself why the poster does not do a simple site search?