Hospital appointment

jaysay · 10-06-2010, 10:03

I have received an appointment for the Maxfax department at the Royal Blackburn, it was the usual standard letter you receive giving times and numbers for cancellations etc. The difference I found which I haven't seen before were details on the back titled details recorded, which listed hospital number name address tel numbers etc. then there was a section called Ethnicity asking to indict your ethnic group 19 choices
the school if applicable, but it was the last section which intrigued me the most, I will write this in full

Overseas Visitors Policy

There are national regulations about who is entitled to free NHS Hospital treatment and it is in the interests of the public that all hospitals ensure these regulations are enforced. If this is your first visit to this Trust you must provide prof of residency in the UK and this must be produced when you book in for your appointment.

This must be two separate documents from the following list:

Birth Certificate, Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Passport, Entry Clearance documents or Ancestral Visa

I have been going to hospital for many years and this is the first time I've seen this on any such appointment letter, was just wondering what happens if some one turns up without the required documentation, remember this isn't A and E, will they, like Brits abroad be asked for Insurance documents or their credit card?

Stanleymad · 10-06-2010, 10:23

Great move at last we have to protect the nhs, havent noticed it on my letter will have a look when i get home

jaysay · 10-06-2010, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanleymad

Great move at last we have to protect the nhs, havent noticed it on my letter will have a look when i get home

Ya but will it be enforced

Tealeaf · 10-06-2010, 10:39

I assume that first time referrals to NHS specialist treatment is originally made by the patients GP....so why is the paperwork not sorted out at the GP's surgery? It would seem to be far more cost effective.

Stanleymad · 10-06-2010, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Ya but will it be enforced

Its gonna have to be, can see everything will have to be scruntinised as the hard cost cutting takes place.

jaysay · 10-06-2010, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

I assume that first time referrals to NHS specialist treatment is originally made by the patients GP....so why is the paperwork not sorted out at the GP's surgery? It would seem to be far more cost effective.

Not necessarily Tealeaf, mine certainly isn't, they could easily be referred from Casualty

Tealeaf · 10-06-2010, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Not necessarily Tealeaf, mine certainly isn't, they could easily be referred from Casualty

Aye, you're right...I should have said most referrals. The problem is contolling entitlement at A & E. where paperwork is not checked..certainly, here in London with a large transient population an awful lot of people don't bother registering with GP's and instead use A & E's and 'Drop-In' centres (they're all over the place).

lettie · 10-06-2010, 14:06

That's because A&E services are still free for all in this country so any Tom Dick or Harry can turn up in A&E and receive emergency care. Sadly, many turn up needing hospital admission and they nearly always get out of paying for it when they come through A&E. It is the same in maternity care when people just turn up in labour having had no antenatal care in this country. We do not have a system here for collecting payments upfront and until we do our doors will be open to everyone.

jaysay · 10-06-2010, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettie

That's because A&E services are still free for all in this country so any Tom Dick or Harry can turn up in A&E and receive emergency care. Sadly, many turn up needing hospital admission and they nearly always get out of paying for it when they come through A&E. It is the same in maternity care when people just turn up in labour having had no antenatal care in this country. We do not have a system here for collecting payments upfront and until we do our doors will be open to everyone.

There's long been a theory that people from other countries (even the US of A) actually book holidays in this country to coincide with the birth of their child, they are quite aware that they can have their child here free of charge were as in the States it would cost thousands of dollars, in fact the cost of a holiday with plenty of change to boot

garinda · 10-06-2010, 14:50

I read this, in last weekend's Sunday Times.

A small proportion of the money owed is linked to patients from the Isle of Man, which is a dependency of the British Crown but not part of the UK. Isle of Man residents do not automatically qualify for free NHS treatment. Other debts are from patients based in the Irish Republic.
The NHS has also struggled with the number of Welsh patients using English hospitals designated as centres of excellence. Wales controls its own health budget.

Health tourists’ debts cost NHS millions - Times Online

Cheeky Welsh beggars.

Build Offa's Dyke even higher, and if they still manage to get across the border, from the land of green valleys and free prescritions, fire syringes at 'em.

DaveinGermany · 10-06-2010, 16:37

In Summer 2008, while visiting New Lanark Mills (Scotland) I slipped on the wet stones & "Damaged" my left wrist. later that day I went to Kirkaldy Hospital explained my situation, accident, previous problems with the same wrist, on holidays in, UK lived in Germany for over 24 years etc, etc, so there'd be no NHS records.

I pulled out my wallet & German medical card, stated my intention to pay for treatment or sign paperwork so the bill could be reimbursed from the German NHS or whatever was needed, but they said it wasn't necessary (which surprised me as I was led to believe that the treatment was to be paid for by those from other Countries, European or not). X-ray, consultation, removable cast, then return the next day to have a proper cast fitted. I asked again about paying but was once again told that it wasn't necessary.

So how does that work ? Or was it probably because it was the Scottish NHS ? I don't know.

Eric · 10-06-2010, 18:12

If any of you are planning to visit Canada, get insurance. If you need emergency medical care you will not be turned away from a hospital. But you will be expected to produce insurance or your credit card. Canadians, just like you guys, pay for health care through taxes. The services are free for us; but for foreign nationals, it's fee for service. If I choose to visit the UK, I will purchase insurance just in case I should require medical attention in the UK. I don't think that it is fair that I should get a free ride paid for by the British taxpayer. And I don't think it is fair that any other foreign national should.

MargaretR · 10-06-2010, 19:19

On an eventful trip to Italy and back by car, we needed medical assistance 4 times -
...husband had to pay for a antihistamine injection on the French/Swiss border (not sure which country we were in).
... visited a GP in Italy and didn't pay (but think that husband's family may have)
...I used that E111 form in germany and saw a GP FREE
...I got hospitalised in France and was covered by Europe Assistance insurance