Migrants to be charged double the current fee for using hospitals

CHARGES for migrants using UK hospitals and surgeries are to double under plans that ministers say will raise millions of pounds for the NHS.

Currently those seeking to live in the UK for six months or more are charged a £200 annual surcharge, which exempts them from paying any fees as a temporary overseas visitor.

Ministers are to announce today plans to increase this to £400 a year, which they say more closely matches the amount such patients actually cost the NHS.

James O’shaughnessy, the health minister, said: “Our NHS is always there when you need it, paid for by British taxpayers. We welcome longterm migrants using the NHS, but it is only right that they make a fair contribution to its long-term sustainability.

“By increasing the surcharge so that it better reflects the actual costs of using health services, this Government is providing an extra £220million a year to support the NHS.” Ministers have pledged to recoup £500million a year from overseas patients.

This follows recent measures such as plans to enforce upfront charges for temporary visitors after efforts to chase bills post-treatment had only limited success.

Latest figures show £358million was collected from overseas patients in 2016-17, including £210 million from the immigration health surcharge.

The surcharge is paid when immigration applications are made. Those who pay are then exempt from NHS charges for treatment which temporary visitors have to pay.

Caroline Nokes, the immigration minister, said: “It is only right that people who come to the UK should contribute to the running of the NHS. The surcharge offers access to healthcare services that are far more comprehensive and at a much lower cost than many other countries.

“The income generated goes directly to NHS services.”