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'Health tourists' get bills at bedside
"Health tourists" are being sent home sick from a west London hospital if they can't pay up.
Under the trial at West Middlesex University Hospital, foreign patients who aren't eligible for free treatment and who can't pay are stabilized then discharged - usually within 48hours.
Under the "Stabilise and Discharge" system, instead of treating the patients then giving them a bill when they are well, they are seen by three specialists to determine when their condition has stabilised.
Once stable, they are given a quote on the cost of further treatment and if they cannot provide immediate payment - by Visa, Mastercard, debit card or cash - the patients are discharged.
In a statement, the Department of Health said: "It important that those who are not entitled to NHS services pay for any they receive.
"The government is currently reviewing access to primary and secondary care for all foreign nationals.
"In doing this we must take into account the implications of any such decisions on the key preventative and public health responsibilities of the NHS."
9:03am Wednesday 30th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Dennis, Portland OR (The Colonies) on 9:51am Wed 30 Apr 08
Too right!
I was on holiday in London in 1995 when I began losing the sight in one eye. It was diagnosed as a detached retina and I was admitted to Moorefield's. During the paperwork process I handed over my insurance ID card and argued they bill my insurance carrier for all services, etc., but they refused saying the condition constituted an "emergency procedure" not withstanding I am not British and have not paid into the NHS.
I still have the sight in that eye and I am grateful for the treatment I received.
Too right!
I was on holiday in London in 1995 when I began losing the sight in one eye. It was diagnosed as a detached retina and I was admitted to Moorefield's. During the paperwork process I handed over my insurance ID card and argued they bill my insurance carrier for all services, etc., but they refused saying the condition constituted an "emergency procedure" not withstanding I am not British and have not paid into the NHS.
I still have the sight in that eye and I am grateful for the treatment I received.
Posted by: Jock, London on 5:19pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Your case was perfectly acceptable though, Peter. You had a medical emergency which needed urgent treatment.
The people the hospitals are trying to clamp down on are those with existing medical conditions. These people swan into the UK to get free treatment on our NHS, instead of putting their hands in their pockets for the same treatment in their own country.
Your case was perfectly acceptable though, Peter. You had a medical emergency which needed urgent treatment.
The people the hospitals are trying to clamp down on are those with existing medical conditions. These people swan into the UK to get free treatment on our NHS, instead of putting their hands in their pockets for the same treatment in their own country.
Posted by: 0316, leyton on 5:39pm Wed 30 Apr 08
its about time the nhs put its foot down on the free loaders.
its about time the nhs put its foot down on the free loaders.
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