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| London hospitals write off 'over 90%' owed by foreign patients | London hospitals write off 'over 90%' owed by foreign patients |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| By Jane Bradley Investigations producer, BBC London | By Jane Bradley Investigations producer, BBC London |
| Some London hospitals have written off more than 90% of what they are owed by foreign patients not entitled to free NHS care, BBC London has learned. | Some London hospitals have written off more than 90% of what they are owed by foreign patients not entitled to free NHS care, BBC London has learned. |
| Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show Newham Hospital Trust wrote off 96% last year of what it had invoiced. | Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show Newham Hospital Trust wrote off 96% last year of what it had invoiced. |
| Meanwhile, Basildon and Thurrock wrote off 97% of what it was owed, having recovered much of its debt. | |
| In total, £7.6m was written off by 33 NHS trusts in the region, since 2009. | In total, £7.6m was written off by 33 NHS trusts in the region, since 2009. |
| Across the trusts, a total of £26m is owed by patients, of which £18.4m continues to be actively sought. | Across the trusts, a total of £26m is owed by patients, of which £18.4m continues to be actively sought. |
| However, hospital trusts said chasing the money was difficult if patients leave the UK. | However, hospital trusts said chasing the money was difficult if patients leave the UK. |
| In a statement, Basildon and Thurrock said: "We scrupulously manage our finances and only write off debt after following the full debt collection process." | In a statement, Basildon and Thurrock said: "We scrupulously manage our finances and only write off debt after following the full debt collection process." |
| All hospitals are required to recover money owed for treating these patients. | All hospitals are required to recover money owed for treating these patients. |
| The figures show however, that there is a big variation between hospitals. | The figures show however, that there is a big variation between hospitals. |
| While Newham Hospital Trust wrote off most of what it was owed by ineligible foreign patients last year, West Middlesex Hospital wrote off just 3%. | While Newham Hospital Trust wrote off most of what it was owed by ineligible foreign patients last year, West Middlesex Hospital wrote off just 3%. |
| Newham Hospital Trust said: "There are some cases where it is not possible or becomes difficult to recover costs, such as when a patient passes away, failed asylum seekers or if they leave the UK." | Newham Hospital Trust said: "There are some cases where it is not possible or becomes difficult to recover costs, such as when a patient passes away, failed asylum seekers or if they leave the UK." |
| NHS health care is free to everyone who needs emergency treatment, but patients whose normal residence is outside of the European Union have to pay for services, with certain exceptions. | NHS health care is free to everyone who needs emergency treatment, but patients whose normal residence is outside of the European Union have to pay for services, with certain exceptions. |
| A "health tourist" could be someone who visits the UK specifically for free health care, or they may already be living here and are trying to avoid paying their bill. | A "health tourist" could be someone who visits the UK specifically for free health care, or they may already be living here and are trying to avoid paying their bill. |
| One senior doctor at a large London hospital, who did not want to be identified, said the problem of outstanding debt was much bigger than official figures show. | One senior doctor at a large London hospital, who did not want to be identified, said the problem of outstanding debt was much bigger than official figures show. |
| 'Can't afford it' | 'Can't afford it' |
| "It is probably about three or four times that figure," he said. | "It is probably about three or four times that figure," he said. |
| "These patients probably know somebody in this country. Very often they just take a plane and come to the first A&E department that deals with that type of condition and they know they will be treated because they are very sick." | "These patients probably know somebody in this country. Very often they just take a plane and come to the first A&E department that deals with that type of condition and they know they will be treated because they are very sick." |
| He added: "Do I think we can afford it? No, I don't think we can." | He added: "Do I think we can afford it? No, I don't think we can." |
| Among other places, Kings College Hospital wrote off £343,000 last year. | Among other places, Kings College Hospital wrote off £343,000 last year. |
| Mercedes Abelando, 69, lives in south London but is originally from Uruguay and did not qualify for free NHS treatment, says she was treated at the hospital while she was an illegal migrant. | Mercedes Abelando, 69, lives in south London but is originally from Uruguay and did not qualify for free NHS treatment, says she was treated at the hospital while she was an illegal migrant. |
| She told BBC London she did not know she would have to pay for the health care until she received a bill after treatment. | She told BBC London she did not know she would have to pay for the health care until she received a bill after treatment. |
| "I went to the hospital and I told them that I didn't have that kind of money and I couldn't pay," she said. | "I went to the hospital and I told them that I didn't have that kind of money and I couldn't pay," she said. |
| "The person who saw me at the hospital said to me: 'ok, that's fine'; took the letter and I haven't heard from them since. | "The person who saw me at the hospital said to me: 'ok, that's fine'; took the letter and I haven't heard from them since. |
| "I was surprised, but I couldn't pay anyway." | "I was surprised, but I couldn't pay anyway." |
| Various hospital trusts, which had written off large amounts of their debt, said chasing the money was often difficult if patients leave the country and sums were only written off when all options to pursue it had been exhausted. | Various hospital trusts, which had written off large amounts of their debt, said chasing the money was often difficult if patients leave the country and sums were only written off when all options to pursue it had been exhausted. |
| There are no official figures to measure what some suspect is a problem that is under the radar. | There are no official figures to measure what some suspect is a problem that is under the radar. |
| However, some believe that "health tourists" do not exist and are a sensationalised phenomenon. | However, some believe that "health tourists" do not exist and are a sensationalised phenomenon. |
| Naomi Hartree, a volunteer doctor at Project London, a clinic in east London which helps vulnerable people like migrants and asylum seekers access healthcare, says foreign patients are over-policed. | Naomi Hartree, a volunteer doctor at Project London, a clinic in east London which helps vulnerable people like migrants and asylum seekers access healthcare, says foreign patients are over-policed. |
| "We've documented numerous cases where people have been turned away from hospital treatment because they're perceived to be health tourists, and they're people who are entitled to healthcare," she said. | "We've documented numerous cases where people have been turned away from hospital treatment because they're perceived to be health tourists, and they're people who are entitled to healthcare," she said. |
| Project London also argues that chasing debt incurred by foreign patients is more expensive than writing it off. | Project London also argues that chasing debt incurred by foreign patients is more expensive than writing it off. |
| Immigration powers introduced in November 2011 mean overseas patients who owe the NHS £1,000 or more will not be allowed to enter or remain in the UK until the debt is paid off. | Immigration powers introduced in November 2011 mean overseas patients who owe the NHS £1,000 or more will not be allowed to enter or remain in the UK until the debt is paid off. |
| The Home Office has said it was still too early to see what impact this was having. | The Home Office has said it was still too early to see what impact this was having. |
| In the meantime, the government is currently reviewing access to NHS health care by overseas patients. | In the meantime, the government is currently reviewing access to NHS health care by overseas patients. |
| It is expected to report to ministers in the next few months. | It is expected to report to ministers in the next few months. |
| Health Minister Anne Milton said: "Hospitals must take reasonable measures to recover any debts from overseas patients. | Health Minister Anne Milton said: "Hospitals must take reasonable measures to recover any debts from overseas patients. |
| "The NHS has a duty to anyone whose life or long-term health is at immediate risk, but we cannot afford to become an international health service, providing free treatment for all." | "The NHS has a duty to anyone whose life or long-term health is at immediate risk, but we cannot afford to become an international health service, providing free treatment for all." |