HC Deb 24 July 1989 vol 157 c540W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances British citizens may be charged fees as overseas visitors for treatment within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

Residence in the United Kingdom, not citizenship, is the measure of qualification for hospital treatment without charge under the National Health Service. British citizens not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom will be charged as overseas visitors for NHS hospital treatment.

General practitioners have the discretion whether to accept a visitor as a NHS patient. If a visitor is unable to find a GP willing to accept him onto the GP's list, he can apply to the family practitioner committee which will allocate him to a GP who must then accept him as a NHS patient.

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