Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Warner (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005.

NHS: Overseas Visitors

Question: What changes have been made to the charges for overseas visitors, failed asylum seekers, visa over-stayers and others of undocumented residency status, for services from the National Health Service, including HIV/AIDS treatment and maternity care.

Answer: The NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations came into force in 1989. Since then they have occasionally been amended, most recently and significantly in 2004. The regulations state that anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom is classed as being an overseas visitor and will therefore be charged for any National Health Service hospital treatment they receive unless exempted by one of a number of exemption categories listed in the regulations. One amendment in 2004 was to the ““12-month residency”” exemption in order to ensure that only those who have been lawfully living in the UK for the 12 months preceding treatment can benefit from this exemption. Persons who are not lawfully residing here can no longer rely on this exemption to get free hospital treatment.No changes have been made in respect of HIV/AIDS treatment or maternity care.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2933; 676 c263-5WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Asylum Health services Fees and charges HIV/AIDS NHS Overseas visitors Maternity services
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk