A Holyrood committee has given its backing to legislation designed to ensure UK citizens can still access free medical treatment overseas after Brexit.

But MSPs on the Health Committee said there were a “number of issues regarding the operation of the current scheme”.

The committee has agreed to look at this in more detail in 2019.

Meanwhile it has agreed that Holyrood should back the UK Government’s Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill.

Westminster introduced the legislation to allow the UK to maintain reciprocal healthcare arrangements with European Union member states after Brexit.

NHS Scotland chief executive Paul Gray (Scottish Parliament/PA)

NHS Scotland chief executive Paul Gray told the committee that while the current arrangements should persist during any transition period, the measures in the Bill would need to be put in place “quickly” if the UK left without securing a deal.

Health committee convener Lewis MacDonald said: “The Health and Sport Committee has been considering UK Government legislation which intends to allow the UK to maintain reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the EU and its member states after Brexit.

“As health is a devolved issue the Committee has been considering whether the Scottish Parliament should give consent to the UK Government to legislate in the UK Parliament on the issue. The Committee agrees that consent should be given.

“The Committee’s view is that as close as possible to the same arrangements for reciprocal healthcare should continue to exist after March 29 2019.”