MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I am wondering whether the STW hive would be able to give me some advise or opinions on a problem one of my employees has with the NHS at the moment? The story so far, as explained to me.....
His wife of 3 months went to see their GP this week complaining of stomach pains, GP told them to go straight to hospital for a scan. When they got to hospital the couple were told that they considered the wife to be a NHS health tourist and as such they are very reluctant to deal with her. The NHS have given her a scan and now they want to know how they will pay for any more treatment before proceeding.
The couple are from Romania originally but he has been living here for 5 years, always paying his tax, has a National Insurance number,a GP, bank accounts etc. He went back to Romania to marry his wife three months ago and this is her first time in the UK.
I'm guessing that the stomach pains aren't life threatening but is this standard practise? Should they treat her as her husband is a UK resident?
There is a qualification to get free NHS treatment. Residency / paying NI, a series of criteria. I don't know all the details.
Teh other avenue is if your country has a riciprocal arrangement with teh NHS - I would have thought Romania did but maybe not
If they thought it was acute / emergency then they would treat and look for the money afterwards. The scan has been done and acute illness ruled out.
My guess.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074374
http://www.avert.org/freenhs.htm
Thanks for that TJ, I have forwarded on the link.
Looks like Romania is an EEA country, therefore she is entitled to treatment but the hospital is still refusing to treat her.