only £2bn

[original PM]

Then chase them before they leave the UK, i don't think the airlines are happy to fly infants less than 1 month old, which should give ample time for the parents to provide proof of eligibility for free NHS care. If they don't just don't let them leave the country until the debt is sorted.

At least this has a lot more chance of working, than the PR nightmare for both Gov, NHS and Doctors, when we start seeing women giving birth on the street in front of the hospital because they didn't have a passport etc.

It's not a PR disaster.

It would be a PR disaster if we wanted people to come from abroad to use our NHS and then fook off.

But we don't so if we start seeing people who do not qualify to use the NHS being told they cannot use the NHS it is a good thing.

Maybe will stop people thinking they can come over here and use the NHS maybe?

[stek]

I've heard of Aussies trying to pay up as well or show their insurance documents.

In one case because the elderly person was staying with British relations, the administrator just basically said they were a dependant of the British relations they didn't need to pay. The woman had insurance but the administrator didn't want to photocopy the documentation and take the appropriate numbers.



With Indians I learnt on one of my contracts they can either pay a very small monthly fee that allows them and their accompanying family to use the NHS, or otherwise choose to use private medicine. Most opted to pay the £10-20 to use the NHS.

Edited to say: Foreign non-EEA students have to take out health insurance as well but the price is just over £100 per year.

They gave to pay the International Health Surcharge of £200 per person per annum or part of a year.

[sal]

It's not a PR disaster.

No? It only takes one baby/mother to die in front of the hospital, and even in the 21st century childbirth is a risky "business".

God forbid it's someone who actually had the right to NHS care but the bureaucracy couldn't sort it out in time.

I don't believe even at the horrible place across the pond they are going to leave a mother give birth in front of the hospital, they might ruin her with the bill afterwards, but this is a different matter.

[original PM]

No? It only takes one baby/mother to die in front of the hospital, and even in the 21st century childbirth is a risky "business".

God forbid it's someone who actually had the right to NHS care but the bureaucracy couldn't sort it out in time.

I don't believe even at the horrible place across the pond they are going to leave a mother give birth in front of the hospital, they might ruin her with the bill afterwards, but this is a different matter.

Life's tough at times hey......

[SueEllen]

They gave to pay the International Health Surcharge of £200 per person per annum or part of a year.

I'm definitely sure the Indians didn't have to pay all off it as their employer paid some of it.

BTW Students pay £150.

[SueEllen]

No? It only takes one baby/mother to die in front of the hospital, and even in the 21st century childbirth is a risky "business".

God forbid it's someone who actually had the right to NHS care but the bureaucracy couldn't sort it out in time.

I don't believe even at the horrible place across the pond they are going to leave a mother give birth in front of the hospital, they might ruin her with the bill afterwards, but this is a different matter.

In the horrible place across the pond they bankrupt you if you can't pay your medical bills, and they don't let people leave the country without paying up.

Maybe the NHS should do that though we would have a problem with mother and baby units in immigration centres if the birth is one like this linky

[original PM]

"She told the Mail: “What is it that’s my fault? I don’t understand.
“They blamed me that I came to the UK and I just came to use the system, which I did not do.
“If it (health tourism) is a problem in the UK, you should talk to the NHS. I have never received my bill. If I had it, I would pay it.”
She said that she was allowed to stay in the UK without needing to ask and without having to apply.
“I did not want to stay... it was just my situation,” Miss Ayelabola added."

Sounds like boolshoot to me.

[vetran]

No? It only takes one baby/mother to die in front of the hospital, and even in the 21st century childbirth is a risky "business".

God forbid it's someone who actually had the right to NHS care but the bureaucracy couldn't sort it out in time.

I don't believe even at the horrible place across the pond they are going to leave a mother give birth in front of the hospital, they might ruin her with the bill afterwards, but this is a different matter.

so you know you are pregnant for 7-8 months and you can't register with the hospital or neonatal service in that time?

We of course let them give birth but we neither let them leave or pester the sponsor until we get paid.

[stek]

I'm definitely sure the Indians didn't have to pay all off it as their employer paid some of it.

BTW Students pay £150.

Some Tier 2 sponsor pay all applicants visa fees, some don't or pay part.

Re: students they need to pay the IHS too, £200 a year as do dependants.

Family members of EEA citizens in UK not working (ie studying) have to have CSI from wherever, BUPA, Aviva etc....

https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/overview

[stek]

In the horrible place across the pond they bankrupt you if you can't pay your medical bills, and they don't let people leave the country without paying up.

Maybe the NHS should do that though we would have a problem with mother and baby units in immigration centres if the birth is one like this linky

There was one US birth on BBC that showed the bill for the birth of the baby with $39 on it for 'skin-to-skin contact' after a C section cos the nurse held the baby immediately after...

Robbing bastards!!