Should NHS patients have to show their passport?

We have discussed this subject on the forum before, it looks like the UK Government is moving closer to implementing a system where proof of entitlement to free NHS treatment will be needed by people attending NHS hospitals. The NHS say they are losing over £500 million a year due to health tourists, to be honest if I was a betting man I would put the figure much higher.

One important thing to remember for our members on the forum who are in the UK on the Fiancée visa, you are not entitled to free NHS treatment until you have applied and got your first FLR(M), it is only then you become a UK resident. For Filipinos their BRP and passport would probably suffice as ID for free NHS treatment but on the attached video they are talking about maybe showing a utility bill too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38062546

Not a bad idea if it saves £500 million. The £500 million would be better spent on equipment.

Or getting more doctors.

It's very difficult to get an appointment.

Indeed. I don't suppose you've experienced a 5 hour wait in A&E yet. NHS is stretched to say the least

Is this just an excuse to set up a new "passport checking" admin department employing thousands of highly paid managers, and needing an expensive new IT system developed by one of the major NHS connected $$ consultancies I wonder?

I think we give quite enough to grasping parasites already.

What mugs we are.

Meanwhile our own elderly and infirm... the very people who created and paid for our (overly?)generous welfare system, may be drained of their life savings and neglected.

Shameful.

I think Dave_E might have something, I think they are trying to deflect us away from the real reason.

I personally think that the Government is sincere in its attempt to claw money back, it not only makes financial sense it gives us the electorate more confidence in the Government that they are closing these loopholes that enables non resident foreigners to receive free healthcare.

Having to show ID, passports and the like to show NHS entitlement does seem a little extreme but there is no other way to do it, the downside of course is the already overburdened NHS having to implement such a measure.

At the end of the day I do not believe we would expect free treatment overseas, most of us avail to travel insurance.

As an expat I don't get free medical treatment when visiting UK. In fact not only is it not free, I have to pay 50% on top of standard NHS charges. Anything that prevents non-entitled from receiving free treatment gets my vote.

I couldn't agree more, personally speaking I think all British people should be allowed free treatment regardless of where they reside.

I think, not 100% sure that non British people using the NHS who are not entitled to treatment are charged 100% on top of the standard charge, I could be wrong but I think I read that somewhere.

I must say that the NHS is still something we can be proud of although its clear to see that there are many challenges ahead if it is to maintain a good quality service.

I agree with this however I think there are things that Brits should pay for ie abuse of the system I get angry when I see young nurses and medical staff being abused by drunks and other louts,RTAs the cost should be borne out in insurance claims( yes I know it would push premiums up) but in the modern world the premium should be specific to the driver very much like a DD charge would be hilited on a policy. People who are ill who do nothing to help themselves are also a burden an example would be a person with a damaged liver who continues to drink heavily.Ambulence and paramedic responses to non emergencies should be chargeable to.

or smokers who gets cancer or diabetics who eat too much or sun worshipers who get skin cancer or..........

if youre a smoker and diagnosed lung cancer and continue to smoke who should pick up the bill ?if you are diabetic and not even attempt to change your diet habits who should pick up the bill ?if you abuse your body and continue to do so who should pick up the bill?
One answer currently is like you experience now ex pats and that is wrong

At the end of the day if you have drunk too much, smoked and not looked after yourself I think you should be as entitled to treatment like everyone else as it is too difficult to police, one off fines for drunks and people causing a nuisance of themselves in A&E would be good.

Actually it should be fairly easy to implement. Just use the self check-in machines fly-be use at the airport.

If you are a Lumberjack, accidentally cut one of your legs off and continue to use a chainsaw, who should pick up the bill when you cut off your other leg?​

Priority lane to get past the dragon at reception. ​

Your employer would have employee insurance self employed should have adequate insurance one things for sure in the example you have given you wouldnt be losing further legs and probably spend some time bumming around!