Health Services: Foreign Nationals

(asked on 29th November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report entitled Towards True Universal Care: Reforming the NHS Charging System, published by the Institute for Public Policy Research on 22 November 2021, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing the (a) options for reform on page 38 and (b) recommendations on 39 of that report.


Answered by
Edward Argar Portrait
Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
This question was answered on 6th December 2021

The Government believes that it is right that people who do not live in the United Kingdom on a lawful, settled basis help contribute towards treatment costs. Therefore, we have implemented a system of charging overseas visitors that is fair and proportionate, working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to ensure that the Charging Regulations are properly applied.

The Department regularly reviews the Charging Regulations, with consideration for their equity and impact on vulnerable groups, using a range of evidence and reports by organisations such as the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). We are committed to improving the support, guidance, and advice provided to trusts on the issues raised by the IPPR’s report. We are taking steps to further protect vulnerable groups by raising awareness of exemptions from charge and improving guidance and training for the National Health Service on identifying patients who are genuinely without funds.

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