This looks like good news, if I'm reading it correctly it gives us some cover.
Dave

4.4 Heading Four - Social Security Coordination and Visas for Short-term Visits
Title I - Social Security Coordination
113. The provisions in the Protocol on Social Security Coordination will ensure that individuals who move between the UK and the EU in the future will have their social security position in respect of certain important benefits protected. Individuals will be able to have access to a range of social security benefits, including reciprocal healthcare cover and an uprated state pension.

114. This Protocol supports business and trade by ensuring that cross- border workers and their employers are only liable to pay social security contributions in one state at a time. Generally, this will be in the country where work is undertaken, irrespective of whether the worker resides within the EU or the UK, or indeed whether the employer is based in the EU or the UK.

115. UK workers who are sent by their employer to work temporarily in an EU Member State which has agreed to apply the “detached worker” rules will remain liable to only pay social security contributions in the UK for the period of work in that EU Member State. Similarly, if an EU worker is sent by their employer to work temporarily in the UK from a Member State which has agreed to apply the “detached worker” rules, they will remain liable to only pay contributions in that EU Member State.

116. Under the Protocol, the UK and EU Member States will be able to take into account relevant contributions paid into each other’s social security systems, or relevant periods of work or residence, by individuals for determining entitlement to a state pension and to a range of benefits. This will provide a good level of protection for people working in the UK and EU Member States. The Protocol also provides for the uprating of the UK State Pension paid to pensioners who retire to the EU.

117. On healthcare, where the UK or an EU Member State is responsible for the healthcare of an individual, they will be entitled to reciprocal healthcare cover. This includes certain categories of cross-border workers and state pensioners who retire to the UK or to the EU.

118. In addition, the Protocol will ensure necessary healthcare provisions – akin to those provided by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme – continue. This means individuals who are temporarily staying in another country, for example a UK national who is in an EU Member State for a holiday, will have their necessary healthcare needs met for the period of their stay.

119. The Protocol also protects the ability of individuals to seek authorisation to receive planned medical treatment in the UK or the EU, funded by their responsible State.

I did read on the BBC site that EHIC cards will be valid until they expire. The other important thing for longer trips is that I understand that passports need to be valid for 6 months from the day of your RETURN. So many snippets of information, though.

Cornwall is nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never relied solely on the EHIC cards, I have never gone anywhere without full travel insurance.

While on holiday in Spain/france 3 years ago got bitten on ankle that caused blood poisoning tracking up leg to groin. Was hospitalised in France overnight and was on drip and introvenous antibiotics. Produced my card to medics who picked me up from campsite and transferred me to hospital. Given meds to see me through to return to UK. Upon return some 4 months later received bill for £130 for the meds. My holiday insurance had £100 excess so just paid the bill and never claimed because of all the hassle I expected for £30.