Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to charge foreign patients the cost of non-urgent treatments provided by the NHS.

In England, the charging of overseas visitors for National Health Service healthcare already exists. Overseas visitors who use the NHS in England are charged upfront 150% of the cost of treatment. Only people who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, or otherwise exempt from charges under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015, are eligible for NHS healthcare without charge in England.

Individuals coming to the UK for six months or more are expected to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application. Once their application is granted, they are entitled to receive treatment on broadly the same basis as someone who is ordinarily resident in the UK.

People coming to the UK for six months or less are expected to have adequate funds or insurance to cover any healthcare needs whilst in England.

The UK is also party to several reciprocal healthcare agreements. Patients who are from countries covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement may be entitled to some NHS services without charge.