Faye1

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...h-tourism.html

Not good news!

ljaw2002uk

I wonder how they could possibly police it effectively. There is really no way of telling where someone is or isn't living, or if you have or haven't recently returned to the UK. Are they going to challenge every patient to demonstrate their eligibility? Trying to staff that would be an enormous challenge!

More hot air me thinks!

Perthbum

people who fly to Britain to exploit the NHS will be denied free care.

The ban preventing visitors and failed asylum seekers from milking the system is likely to come into force by next April.

Good news and about bloody time, we have been a soft touch for far to long.

Faye1

I'm all for stopping people exploiting the system, but it seems a bit harsh that expat pensioners who have spent their whole life paying UK tax and national health contributions are now entitled to nothing....

On a personal level - I've been in the US for 8 years but I work for a UK company and so pay both UK tax and national insurance in the UK.... I always assumed I would have the NHS as a fallback option, but may have to re-think that backup plan!

fatbrit

You haven't had that option for a long time. The requirement for non-emergency NHS treatment is residency, not payment of NI.

ljaw2002uk

As the article says - the existing rules have not been robustly inforced. So in reality she has.

Faye1

I've seen my family NHS doctor several times for check ups/smear tests etc over the past 8 years.

He knows I'm based in the US and always asks how life is going in NY and has never quibbled over me being a non-resident up until now....

anotherlimey

I can produce a passport.

Although I doubt anyone who looks and sounds British will ever be asked.

ljaw2002uk

I was thinking exactly the same thing! Mr. Smith or Jones need not worry!

christmasoompa

My husband was, had to produce utility bills with his name on to get outpatient treatment at our local hospital.

BILDER

This is absolute garbage.

Finally the government is acting on the issue. My problem lies with the enforcement. I have a British Passport. Never spent more than 4 continuous months in the UK. I own a home in London, sometimes rented out but I have many utility bills in my name. I should not be entitled to the NHS. They need to find a better way to police this.

ljaw2002uk

What about people who have no utility bills? Those living in shared houses where all bills are included? Or students in halls of residence? Seems like a daft way to prove entitlement to anything.

Mitzyboy

But it HAS been the case for a while. It is s residency based entitlement, so if you are no longer a UK resident then you are no longer entitled to NHS services

And I have got some treatment in the Uk recently. I have a UK address, utility bills, and it was not a problem

fatbrit

It's the DM. I refuse to read it.

Sally Redux

Good.