§ Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recommendations he makes to hospitals in inner London in regard to the treatment of short-stay visitors from countries without reciprocal agreements for free health services who seek medical checkups or treatment for conditions not needing urgent attention; and what conclusions he has reached about the practicability of making charges in such cases.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Department's advice to all hospitals is that, except for persons covered by the reciprocal agreements with Malta, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands, or by certain provisions of EEC social security regulations, which all provide that some patients may come to this country specifically for medical care, short-stay visitors should not receive NHS treatment except in respect of illness or accidents arising during their stay in this country or exacerbation of a pre-existing condition for which treatment cannot be deferred. Short-stay visitors seeking medical checks-ups or treatment for pre-existing conditions which do not require urgent attention are expected to pay for their treatment.