Accrington Web - View Single Post

pendy · 19-05-2006, 12:53

Health tourism is not "so-called", it is a fact. I worked in the Health Service for several years. When a patient first arrives at a clinic, the only question you are allowed to ask is "Have you been resident in this country for 12 months?". If they answer yes, the form states "DO NOT ASK ANY MORE QUESTIONS". No proof is ever requested. Working in Orthopaedics at the Royal Free, we had quite a number of Nigerian nationals coming to the clinic requiring hip or knee replacement - an op for which there are always long waiting lists. They all gave the same address in Hampstead. I would be asked "Can you give me at least 3 weeks notice of my op" - the sub-text being "I need to book my flight from Nigeria, so I need notice". Health tourism is certainly alive and well in London, which is more than can be said for some of our own nationals who die whilst on waiting lists for cardiac surgery.

19-05-2006, 12:53	#7
pendy Resting in peace Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London/Oswaldtwistle Posts: 1,123 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 908	Re: Bleedin' heart (transplant) liberals... Health tourism is not "so-called", it is a fact. I worked in the Health Service for several years. When a patient first arrives at a clinic, the only question you are allowed to ask is "Have you been resident in this country for 12 months?". If they answer yes, the form states "DO NOT ASK ANY MORE QUESTIONS". No proof is ever requested. Working in Orthopaedics at the Royal Free, we had quite a number of Nigerian nationals coming to the clinic requiring hip or knee replacement - an op for which there are always long waiting lists. They all gave the same address in Hampstead. I would be asked "Can you give me at least 3 weeks notice of my op" - the sub-text being "I need to book my flight from Nigeria, so I need notice". Health tourism is certainly alive and well in London, which is more than can be said for some of our own nationals who die whilst on waiting lists for cardiac surgery.