HC Deb 28 April 1998 vol 311 cc121-2W
Dr. Ladyman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) regulations and (b) guidelines govern the treatment of non-UK citizens by the National Health Service; and what checks are made to ensure that only those entitled to treatment receive it. [39734]

Mr. Milburn

Regulations on the subject of charges for accommodation, services and other facilities provided as part of the health service in respect of people not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom (overseas visitors) were first made in 1982. The current Regulations are The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 (Statutory Instrument 1989/306) as amended by The NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Amendment Regulations 1991 (SI 1991/438) and The NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1535). These Regulations apply to England and Wales.

A manual of guidance was issued to all hospitals in 1988 with additional information provided in 1990, 1991 and 1994. The manual includes details of a two stage process for identifying patients who may be subject to the Overseas Visitors Regulations. Stage one should be applied to all patients attending hospital for the first time or commencing a new episode of treatment (unless the treatment is one which is specifically excluded from charges). The majority of patients will be found to be not liable for charges at stage one. Stage two interviews should be carried out by an officer of supervisory or equivalent grade and are designed to establish the patient's status with regard to the Overseas Visitors Regulations. Copies of the manual of guidance are available in the Library.

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