§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into the(a) extent and (b) cost of health tourism in England; and if he will make a statement. [139579]
§ Mr. HuttonOfficials in the Department of Health have been conducting a review of the operation of the National Health Service hospital charging arrangements for overseas visitors for some time, and a consultation exercise on proposed amendments to the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 ended on 31 October. No specific external research was been commissioned as part of this review.
NHS trusts are not required to submit data on the costs of providing treatment for overseas visitors, many of whom may well be entitled to free treatment under the provisions of the charging regulations.