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Health tourism charges come into force in England | Health tourism charges come into force in England |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Providers of NHS treatment are required from Monday to make sure patients in England are eligible for free care - and to charge them up front if not. | Providers of NHS treatment are required from Monday to make sure patients in England are eligible for free care - and to charge them up front if not. |
The measures apply to planned, non-urgent care - A&E, general practice and infectious disease treatment remain free to all. | |
The government hopes it will contribute to £22bn of savings needed in the NHS. | The government hopes it will contribute to £22bn of savings needed in the NHS. |
But the British Medical Association said the changes may prevent vulnerable people getting treatment they need. | But the British Medical Association said the changes may prevent vulnerable people getting treatment they need. |
Under the new measures, patients will be asked where they have lived in the last six months. | Under the new measures, patients will be asked where they have lived in the last six months. |
If they have lived abroad, they will be asked to show documentation that they are entitled to free NHS care, such as a non-UK European Health Insurance Card. | If they have lived abroad, they will be asked to show documentation that they are entitled to free NHS care, such as a non-UK European Health Insurance Card. |
Hospitals and other parts of the NHS are also required to flag when a patient should be charged so that providers elsewhere within the health service can more easily recoup costs. | Hospitals and other parts of the NHS are also required to flag when a patient should be charged so that providers elsewhere within the health service can more easily recoup costs. |
Health Minister Lord O'Shaughnessy said: "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. | Health Minister Lord O'Shaughnessy said: "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." | "The new regulations simply require NHS bodies to make enquiries about, and then charge, those who aren't entitled to free NHS care." |
But Dr Chaand Nagpaul, of the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said the current proposals "lack clarity" and "run the risk of causing confusion". | But Dr Chaand Nagpaul, of the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said the current proposals "lack clarity" and "run the risk of causing confusion". |
"It is vital that patients do not face bureaucratic or financial obstacles that prevent acutely sick and vulnerable individuals from seeking necessary treatment," he said. | "It is vital that patients do not face bureaucratic or financial obstacles that prevent acutely sick and vulnerable individuals from seeking necessary treatment," he said. |
"This would be morally unacceptable and could end up costing the NHS more money due to lack of timely treatment." | "This would be morally unacceptable and could end up costing the NHS more money due to lack of timely treatment." |
The government has previously estimated that up to £500m could be recovered from overseas visitors' and migrants' use of the NHS every year. | The government has previously estimated that up to £500m could be recovered from overseas visitors' and migrants' use of the NHS every year. |
The BMA, at the time however, called that figure "exaggerated" and "unreliable". | The BMA, at the time however, called that figure "exaggerated" and "unreliable". |
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