Overseas visitors to the UK are currently charged for hospital visits, dental treatments and prescription drugs. People working for UK-based employers and students on courses of at least six months duration are entitled to at least some NHS hospital treatment free of charge. The government had considered charging for GP consultations, but decided that easy initial access was important to prevent risks to public health such as HIV, TB and sexually transmitted infections.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Discussions from these authors are shown:
@B42LVJ72wks2W
We would have to pay in their country for health insurance, why shouldn't they? Treat them immediately but make them aware they have a debt to pay once treatment is complete.
@9QWR3JK9mos9MO
Should have to produce medical insurance on artival or made to pay for it if not held, just as UK citizens visiting foreign countries do.
@9Q9HNW89mos9MO
Yes it should be charged for but at the rate of their country (any differences aka ours is more expensive their government pay) only if urgent treatment/no underlying conditions
@9Q77S2G9mos9MO
Only for those who live outside of the EU and are not one of the commonwealth countries who still maintain good relations with the UK. Those with insurance should show proof of insurance.
@9PZL3SY9mos9MO
No, emergency acute medical care should remain free at the point of contact. After that costs should be incurred.
@9PLMPXQ9mos9MO
Free when needed but they should be assessed afterwards, and it should be ensured that they didn't just turn up for treatment. Long, easy payment terms.
@9N8LSVM10mos10MO
Yes, but access to emergency treatment should not be denied. They should be liable to pay at a later date and the infrastructure should be in place to ensure that this is taken care of
@9MQMS5D10mos10MO
Employ an insurance model that ensures access to emergency care if required but equally stipulates that elective treatment is at a personal cost.
@9M5SGSR11mos11MO
No but only if they can prove the injury/medical condition being treated did not exist prior to entering the country
@9F93FMG2yrs2Y
No they should get free care However if they knew they had a medical illness so they came for treatment payments should be required
no, as it will encourage people to stay increasing immigration
@9GL57MC1yr1Y
emergency care should not be denied to those cannot afford it but if they can afford it then only those outside of the EU should have to pay
@9C96FHK2yrs2Y
Either make foreigners pay upfront or make them perform community service within the hospital they are being treated or in the healthcare industry or another industry until the cost of the treatment is covered by pay of work they have done
@9BL5C3M2yrs2Y
No one should be denied emergency medical treatment but all possible checks should be done to ensure that travel insurance is in place on arrival to this country.
@96J77PW2yrs2Y
Yes, but this should be means tested
@965LTVP2yrs2Y
No, but they should receive emergency care and then told about the costs and given reasonable time to cover time.
@95MBR4B3yrs3Y
No, unless illness/issue occurred before visiting UK.
@957KS2S3yrs3Y
Yes it should but should help emergency medical treatments needed
@9565CN7Conservative3yrs3Y
Not if it is an emergency
@93T8VNZ3yrs3Y
@8YCB948Liberal Democrat3yrs3Y
Only up to a max payment of a certain amount
@8XKW4673yrs3Y
It should depend on the situation of the patient
They should be charged but only a small fee or if they have insurance it’s still just a small fee
@8TF95KK4yrs4Y
If its life saving operation then should be free but anything shouldn't free
@8T9JYKH4yrs4Y
No but only if it is an emergency or if the person can't afford to pay
@8SSJKJN4yrs4Y
Yes if they would usually pay in their home country
@8SNHPZ54yrs4Y
Yes, to visitors how stay here short term, however if you have paid national insurance for a minimum time period like 5 years or so you should then receive free health care like other citizens.
@8S4N3FKConservative4yrs4Y
If they are paying income tax in the UK they should be entitled to free healthcare
Only those with no reciprocal arrangements with the UK government
@8FBLJMZ5yrs5Y
Yes to an extent, if they have sufficient medical care insurance, especially if they are staying for a short visit they probably should especially if they are affluent.
@9B4SJRM2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if they are visiting as a tourist
@97VM6NC2yrs2Y
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.