Should we crack down on health tourists?

HAVING spent 30 years collecting cash from those unwilling to pay, I worry about doctors providing treatment without arrangements being in place for payment to cover the NHS costs. If British subjects are taken ill abroad, they are presented with a huge medical bill — and no payment means no treatment. Why should it be any different for tourists visiting the UK? As in other countries, a health insurance policy, valid for the period of their visit, should be a requirement for entry to the UK. A patient then needs only be asked for the insurance certificate details and the claim duly processed.

The recovery of the NHS costs would be much simplified and cheaper.

P. WILSON, Chester. TRYING to obtain upfront payment for non-emergency treatment would be difficult to implement, especially if costs escalate. Surely there is a simpler method for the recovery of these costs. The patient’s details would be recorded and a copy of their passport details retained by the hospital. The costs of any treatments recorded and any shortfall in the recovery of NHS costs could be passed to the Department of International Development. Then the outstanding amount for the treatment of patients from each country would be deducted from the amount of foreign aid that country receives from Britain.

PAUL VILANOU, North Fambridge, Essex. FOR years, financial advisers have had to adhere to strict money laundering regulations. This means asking awkward questions not necessarily linked to a client’s financial concerns. If we can do this at a risk of being fined for not doing so, why can’t doctors or health professionals ask a few questions not necessarily associated with their patient’s health in order to save UK taxpayers millions every year? A. HOPKINS, Beaconsfield, Bucks.