Home Office to crack down on non-EU migrants using the NHS

Non-EU migrants will see their partners banned from coming to the UK if they have an outstanding debt of £500 with the NHS, according to reports.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, is expected to announce that those living in the UK with debts could also be refused “leave to remain”.

It follows the news that a hit squads of debt collectors are to be sent into hospitals to collect payment from health tourists.

It came after a report revealed the NHS recoups less than half the money it spends on treating overseas patients.

The Home office are expected to announce the new measures today and the new rules will become law within months.

A source told the Sun: “This is a tightening of the rules. If someone has come to Britain previously, run up a debt of £500 or more, gone home, then apply for a family visa, they could be refused.”

NHS Trusts collected just £255m of at least £500m spent providing treatment to foreign patients last year, according to the latest report by the National Audit Office (NAO).

The report reveals that the NHS is failing to claim back money from foreign patients because half of doctors and a quarter of nurses do not think it is their job to ensure payments were made.

Last month it was revealed that pregnant women will be forced to hand over passports before they give birth at NHS hospitals under controversial proposals to clamp down on health tourism.

A pilot scheme backed by the Home Office will see every mother-to-be told to prove their right to use the health service when their labour is booked in.

 

Source: The Telegraph