Passport checks planned for NHS patients
Department of Health investigating controversial proposal to end 'health tourism', official tells MPs
Patients seeking treatment at an NHS hospital in England could have to provide proof of their identity under plans being considered by the Department of Health to stop so-called "health tourism".
Senior civil servant Chris Wormald told MPs on the public accounts committee that several health trusts were already asking patients for a passport and confirmation of address.
He added that the NHS has "a lot further to go" in recouping costs from overseas patients who are not eligible for free treatment.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A National Audit Office report said the UK paid out £674m to other European countries for the treatment of its citizens while abroad in 2014-15, but received only £49m in return for NHS treatment of Europeans.
"The taxpayer is being taken for a ride, not just by NHS tourists but by the incompetence and political correctness of the NHS bureaucracy," said Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke. "If we collected this money, we could provide so much more healthcare for needy Brits."
The controversial move was also welcomed by Professor Meirion Thomas, a former cancer surgeon, who told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it would show the NHS is not open to health tourism and that visitors would be checked for eligibility.
But Labour MP Meg Hillier, the committee chairwoman, raised concerns it would hit people without a passport, driver's licence or utility bill in their name.
"[They are] perfectly entitled to health care - British born, British resident - how are you going to make sure that people have access easily to the NHS without having to go through a very humiliating and impossible-to-meet set of demands?" she added.
Doctors have also spoken out and are threatening not to implement the plan, reports The Guardian.
In an email to the newspaper, Dr Simon Stallworthy said the proposal was "disgusting" and that it was not the role of the NHS to be "actively working to kick migrants out".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How to find cheaper car insurance as premiums accelerate
The Explainer Car insurance costs are rising but there are ways to put the brakes on price rises
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
What to know when planning an awe-inspiring hike on the Inca Trail
The Week Recommends Peru's most famous trail leads to Machu Picchu
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Lead poisoning remains a threat
The Explainer The toxin is built into our lives
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Martha's Rule: patients given right to urgent second opinion
The Explainer Hospitals in England will launch new scheme that will allow access to a rapid treatment review
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The contaminated blood scandal
The Explainer Widely regarded as the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, the public inquiry is due to publish its report in May
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Britain's dental crisis be fixed?
The Explainer New proposals include more money for dentists working in under-served areas
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Babylon Health: the failed AI wonder app that 'dazzled' politicians
The Explainer Demise of UK tech start-up is a cautionary tale for politicians seeking quick fixes to complicated problems
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Surgery faces ‘MeToo moment’ as female staff assaulted while operating
Two-thirds of women surgeons claim to have been sexually harassed and a third alleged assaults
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
What does UK’s first womb transplant mean for future of fertility?
Today's Big Question Procedure could be offered more widely including to transgender people
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
The NHS plan for virtual wards to beat winter crisis
feature Patients with respiratory infections to be given wearable devices that allow doctors to monitor them at home
By The Week Staff Published
-
The NHS at 75: can it make it to 100?
feature The NHS is facing almost unprecedented challenges, but support for the institution remains strong with the public
By Sorcha Bradley Published