Foreigners visiting Britain from countries like India may soon have to pay for the use of ambulance and other Accident and Emergency (A&E) services, medical authorities said on Saturday.
UK health secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce charges for A&E treatment on all non-British residents next month.
All nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including Indians, planning to migrate to Britain for longer periods of time already have to pay an additional annual surcharge when applying for their visa.
The surcharge of £200 per year for general visa categories and £150 for student visas came into force from April this year. These new charges being planned are likely to be over and above this surcharge.
“International visitors are welcome to use the NHS, provided they pay for it – just as families living in the UK do through their taxes. This government was the first to introduce tough measures to clamp down on migrants accessing NHS care and have always been clear we want to look at extending charges for non-EEA migrants,” a spokesperson of the UK Department of Health said.
“No one will be denied urgent treatment, and vulnerable groups will continue to be exempt from charging,” he added.
All visitors to the UK and non-British taxpayers already have to pay for elective care, but A&E, ambulances and visits to the general practitioner (GP) had been exempt over fears that it would undermine public health.
The latest proposals are believed to be at a consultation stage, with a number of possible options being considered on how they will be enforced.
Hunt believes that the charges, combined with the present fees for foreigners’ routine care, could help the National Health Service (NHS) recoup £500 million a year.
The NHS faces an annual £30 billion shortfall in the next Parliament. The latest decision could leave patients facing bills for thousands of pounds. Seeing an A&E doctor costs the NHS a minimum of £56 if no treatment is needed, and £316 with more extensive care.
Scans and tests can cost more than 200 pounds each. Crisis maternity care will also fall under the new charging system.
