latest health care news

23.10.17

Staff to quiz patients on nationality in new ‘health tourism’ crackdown

Foreign patients using the NHS will be expected to pay upfront for treatment in order to recoup losses for ‘health tourism’ after new legislation comes into force today.

The rules only apply to planned, non-urgent care, while urgent care, maternity treatment, GP services and infectious disease treatment will remain free at point of use.

NHS staff are expected to ask for bank statements, utility bills and proof of employment to be sure patients who have lived abroad in the last six months are British citizens.

Charges will be based on whether patients come from within the European Economic Area (EEA) or outside.

Health minister Lord O'Shaughnessy commented: “The NHS is a cherished national institution that is paid for by British taxpayers. We have no problem with overseas visitors using our NHS as long as they make a fair financial contribution, just as the British taxpayer does.

“The new regulations simply require NHS bodies to make enquiries about, and then charge, those who aren’t entitled to free NHS care.”

However, the BMA argued the new guidelines are not clear and could create greater complexities for under-pressure staff.

“It is important that those accessing NHS services are eligible to do so, especially at a time when the NHS is under intense pressure and struggling to cope with patient demand,” explained Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA Council chair.

“However, the current charging proposals lack clarity around how and when overseas patients should be charged which does run the risk of causing confusion and an additional administrative burden within NHS trusts.

“It is vital that patients do not face bureaucratic or financial obstacles that prevent acutely sick and vulnerable individuals from seeking necessary treatment. This would be morally unacceptable and could end up costing the NHS more money due to lack of timely treatment.”

When the proposals were first unveiled earlier this year, Health Select Committee chair Dr Sarah Wollaston had also claimed that they were “just a distraction from the serious underlying problem of underfunding health and social care.”

The government has previously estimated that up to £500m each year could be recovered from foreign visitors to the NHS. The measures come as part of plans to cover the £22bn NHS efficiency gap.

Top image: Sturti

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