FabSwingers.com mobile

Already registered?
Login here

Back to forum list
Back to The Lounge

Health Tourism

Jump to newest
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

I am listening to You and Yours on Radio 4, it's no Daily Mail rant and the problem applies to people of all races, creeds etc so please do not pile in with racial slurs.

They are reporting that up to 96% of medical fees that foreign nationals should pay the NHS treatment are not recovered.

Some hospitals recover a large percentage of fees due but many collect hardly anything. One third of NHS hospitals do not even check the eligibility of patients for free treatment.

The law states that for free NHS access one should be a UK citizen or a tax-paying resident for 12 months. A&E cannot charge anyone but if someone is given admission to hospital for illness e.g. TB they must establish the patient's eligibility.

The programme tells of people getting off planes at a UK airports and heading straight to a hospital to claim treatment, then heading home afterwards with no intention of paying.

The cost to the NHS is many tens of millions.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

put bob kelso from scrubs in charge he'll sort it

but really, it is frustrating, we have to pay when abroad with insurance proof etc. why is that not implemented in the uk ??

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"put bob kelso from scrubs in charge he'll sort it

but really, it is frustrating, we have to pay when abroad with insurance proof etc. why is that not implemented in the uk ??"

Bloody good idea about Kelso, but I think The Janitor would be even better, stood at the main door!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"put bob kelso from scrubs in charge he'll sort it

but really, it is frustrating, we have to pay when abroad with insurance proof etc. why is that not implemented in the uk ??

Bloody good idea about Kelso, but I think The Janitor would be even better, stood at the main door! "

formidable team

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *littylikka69Man
over a year ago

West Midlands


"I am listening to You and Yours on Radio 4, it's no Daily Mail rant and the problem applies to people of all races, creeds etc so please do not pile in with racial slurs.

They are reporting that up to 96% of medical fees that foreign nationals should pay the NHS treatment are not recovered.

Some hospitals recover a large percentage of fees due but many collect hardly anything. One third of NHS hospitals do not even check the eligibility of patients for free treatment.

The law states that for free NHS access one should be a UK citizen or a tax-paying resident for 12 months. A&E cannot charge anyone but if someone is given admission to hospital for illness e.g. TB they must establish the patient's eligibility.

The programme tells of people getting off planes at a UK airports and heading straight to a hospital to claim treatment, then heading home afterwards with no intention of paying.

The cost to the NHS is many tens of millions.

"

makes a mockery of us taking out health insurance before foreign travel doesn't when our health service is on open house for everyone!.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *atisfy janeWoman
over a year ago

Torquay

"The programme tells of people getting off planes at a UK airports and heading straight to a hospital to claim treatment, then heading home afterwards with no intention of paying.

The cost to the NHS is many tens of millions."

You see I have a problem understanding this....we have a GP referral scheme in the UK, the GP has to submit his findings on a patients health and medical condition to the local hospital, who then register this referral with the relevant department for a later appointment.

A foreign national cannot fly in to the UK and head straight to a hospital WITHOUT going through A&E or without a referral from a UK GP and a pre booked appointment.

So 'Milan Bromovich' from lets say Slovakia, can't just turn up at a general hospital over here with his ingrowing toe-nail problem and get 'chair time' with Dr Jones the specialist....because our NHS system just doesn't work like that.

I'm not saying foreign nationals don't cost the NHS millions, but they won't be getting non emergency treatment without a referral from a UK GP.

So there is more to it.....it's not as simple as has been claimed.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *orestersCouple
over a year ago

The Forest

Walk-in centres are an excellent way of receiving free treatment. You can go in, give a false name and address and be registered without having to provide any documentation. Your gateway is then opened for a large range of immediate, and outpatient care.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


""The programme tells of people getting off planes at a UK airports and heading straight to a hospital to claim treatment, then heading home afterwards with no intention of paying.

The cost to the NHS is many tens of millions."

You see I have a problem understanding this....we have a GP referral scheme in the UK, the GP has to submit his findings on a patients health and medical condition to the local hospital, who then register this referral with the relevant department for a later appointment.

A foreign national cannot fly in to the UK and head straight to a hospital WITHOUT going through A&E or without a referral from a UK GP and a pre booked appointment.

So 'Milan Bromovich' from lets say Slovakia, can't just turn up at a general hospital over here with his ingrowing toe-nail problem and get 'chair time' with Dr Jones the specialist....because our NHS system just doesn't work like that.

I'm not saying foreign nationals don't cost the NHS millions, but they won't be getting non emergency treatment without a referral from a UK GP.

So there is more to it.....it's not as simple as has been claimed."

The programme mentioned in particular, communicable diseases such as TB. I would imagine anyone presenting themselves with that would be admitted.

I don't know all the facts, hence I only refer to what they discussed on Radio 4 which I am sure you would agree Jane, tends to avoid tabloid headlines.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
Post new Message to Thread
back to top