Overseas visitors and migrant use of the NHS: extent and costs
Findings of qualitative and quantitative research into the extent and costs of migrant and overseas visitor use of the NHS.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
These 2 reports, commissioned by the Department of Health, provide evidence of the impact overseas visitors and migrants are having in GP practices and NHS hospitals. They give a first set of estimates for the number and costs of that care.
The reports indicate that:
- the rules need to be clearer about who is eligible for free NHS care
- NHS staff who took part in the research feel that overseas visitor and migrant use of the NHS is an issue and broadly support the proposals to improve the system
- it should be possible to identify substantially higher numbers of patients who are not eligible for free NHS care (chargeable patients) and to improve recovery of costs from them