Press release: Charging of overseas patients must not compromise provision of services to those in genuine need

14 May 2004

Any new proposals to charge overseas patients must not compromise the provision of primary care services to those in genuine need or place undue burdens on PCTs, the NHS Confederation says in response to today's consultation paper from the Department of Health.

Dr Gill Morgan, NHS Confederation chief executive, said "We welcome this consultation as it gives the opportunity for those delivering primary care to give their opinion. Any new arrangements require the full consultation of the service to ensure they are both ethical and workable. It is of paramount importance that people who are in real need can get access to care, and any new system must not be over-complicated for PCTs, who are already facing a challenging agenda."

Gill added: "We are particularly glad to see that research is being undertaken on the true cost of treating overseas patients on the NHS. New regulations should be introduced on the basis of genuine evidence, rather than potentially exaggerated estimates of the cost. It must also be remembered that this issue is of varying importance in different parts of the country, so a one-size all approach is impractical"

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact details

An ISDN line is available for radio interviews (020 7959 7283). To arrange an ISDN interview please contact Will Little on 020 7959 7239 or Chris Atkinson on 020 7959 7240.

Back to media centre