Migrants will be made to contribute to the costs of running the NHS in a bid to stop ‘health tourism’, the government has announced.
Currently, many non-EU migrants have the same access to the NHS as a permanent UK resident.
However, the government feels that this approach is “generous” and rules, which aim to limit access to secondary care for non-EU visitors who plan to be in the UK for less than six months, are “inconsistently applied”.
Migrants will be made to contribute to the costs of running the NHS in a bid to stop ‘health tourism’, the government has announced.
Currently, many non-EU migrants have the same access to the NHS as a permanent UK resident.
However, the government feels that this approach is “generous” and rules, which aim to limit access to secondary care for non-EU visitors who plan to be in the UK for less than six months, are “inconsistently applied”.
The money will then be used as a contribution towards NHS running costs.
But people seeking asylum, humanitarian protection or temporary protection will not be subject to the charge.
Immigration Minister Mark Harper said: “We have been clear that the UK has a national health service, not an international health service. These proposals will ensure that migrants here temporarily make a fair contribution to the cost of health services in the UK.
“The government is building a fairer immigration system which addresses the concerns of hardworking people.”
