New guidelines could see NHS patients showing passports to access treatment

NHS patients need to show passports to access treatment Credit: Katie Collins/PA Wire

Patients could be made to show their passports at hospitals under new government guidelines in an attempt to tackle so called health tourism.

Last week saw new charges introduced for overseas visitors and migrants who use NHS hospital services in England.

The Department of Health (DoH) said these plans will help recoup up to £500 million a year by 2017/18.

Those from outside the UK need to pay a health surcharge with their visa application. Credit: Tim Ockenden/PA

All patients who are accessing a new course of treatment will be asked questions about their residence status, a spokesperson said.

If there is uncertainty about their residence status, they may be required to submit documentation, including passports and immigration documents.But no one will be denied urgent treatment while charges are being determined.

Treatment in A&E departments and at GP surgeries will remain free for all.

Anyone from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) coming to the UK for longer than six months is now required to pay a "health surcharge" as part of their visa application.

The £200-a-year fee is reduced to £150 for students.

In 2013 Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed that up to £500 million could be recovered from overseas visitors' and migrants' use of the NHS every year.

A study estimated that £388 million is spent each year on patients who find themselves in need of health care while in England and who should already be paying for their care, but who are often not processed and charged by the NHS. Only around 16% was being recovered.