Press release: NHS Confederation comment on treatment of people from overseas

22 Aug 2006

Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents over 90 per cent of NHS organisations, said:

"The rules surrounding NHS treatment of people from overseas are complex as they have to cover a wide variety of individuals in very different circumstances. The regulations cover those visiting on holiday, people working in the UK, those applying for asylum, failed asylum seekers and more. Eligibility to treatment can also depend on the country that an individual is from and specific agreements with particular countries.

"At the point of treatment it is often difficult to distinguish between individuals' status within this complex system. Matters are complicated further because of language barriers and the fact that people from overseas coming into contact with health services often have significant health problems. Because of the complexity, there may be variation of interpretation across the country. The Home Office and the Department of Health need to work closely together to ensure the guidance is as clear as possible to ensure equity and consistency."

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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