May 05 2008
Free NHS treatment for foreign patients will freeze
May 5: A recent report has revealed that about one third of hospitals in England and Whales are neglecting government guidelines to charge foreign patients for NHS treatment.
According to the guidance published in 2004 hospitals are asked to confirm whether foreign nationals are qualifying the criteria to get free treatment. But one third of the overseas visitor who is admitted for treatment was not regularly asked about their entitlement.
While the Department of Health said that those persons who are not qualified to get free treatment should pay. Most of the non-EU nationals who are in urgent need of NHS treatments are chargeable. The government on the other hand is showing more concern over this issue as the tough guidance put forth in the year 2004 fails to bear any fruit.
Last year a secret report from the Department of Health, disclosed under Freedom of Information Act, revealed that the loss due to un-recovered debts from foreign visitors in 2004 was estimated at £30m.
Now the Department of Health is reconsidering primary and secondary care policies for all foreign nationals. Many hospitals are also running pilot schemes that make the unqualified patients to pay at their bedside.
However, the Department of Health in a statement said that it is important for those who are not qualified for NHS treatment should have to pay for the treatment they are offered.
