NHS trusts hit for not billing foreign patients

Hit squads will be sent into hospitals that are failing to charge overseas patients for treatment, following orders from regulators.

NHS Improvement is targeting 50 trusts which between them have failed to recover £44million owed by patients who are not entitled to free care.

Senior officials said the hospitals should do more to recoup the money, with NHS funding under “increasing pressure” and a need for cash to be spent carefully.

Since October, patients who are not resident in the UK are expected to pay upfront for NHS treatment, apart from emergencies and GP care.