need_a_tier1 wrote:Just for information, the document above is related to "overseas visitors" and NOT to "ordinarily resident" people in the UK:
I believe you have not gone through the document and just have read the title of the document. If the above document is only for overseas visitors, why is it talking about people working in UK, full time students etc., ??
Also, I know the difference between Hospital treatment and GP treatment and we are not talking about asylum seekers who don't go out and come in into the country and have nothing to do with immigration officers at the airport.
Well, this is over the top, remember, they are IMMIGRATION OFFICERS - so have to be aware of different types of visas and restrictions on them.
Even if two persons have the same type of visa their entitlement to free NHS HOSPITAL treatment depends on their personal circumstances.
4.27 Regulation 8(a) and 8(b) - A person is exempt from charges when they are present in the UK (and other designated places specified in the Charging Regulations) for the purpose of engaging in employment with an employer who has his principle place of business in the UK or is registered in the UK as a branch of an overseas company, or for engaging in employment as a self-employed person whose principle place of business is in the UK.
It is not sufficient to have the right to work here, they must be actually in work or have a firm and specific job offer if they are here shortly before commencing it.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/gro ... 113267.pdf
And, there is a difference between "Free NHS treatment at hospitals" and "Free NHS treatment from a GP". For example, if you’re a refugee or asylum seeker, or are waiting for your asylum request to be considered you are entitled to "Free NHS treatment at hospitals", but a GP can choose NOT to register refugees or asylum seekers so they do not always get "Free NHS treatment from a GP".
A GP cannot refuse somebody just because he is an asylum seeker or refugee, they can only refuge if they are not registering new patients or he/she does not live near the practice.
153. Asylum seekers may apply for registration with a GP. The Department of Health
guidance states that the GP must consider such an application on its merits and should
decline it only if the GP’s patient list is formally closed to new registrations or if the
practice has some other good non-discriminatory reasons for refusing that individual.
There is currently no legislation requiring GPs to charge refused asylum seekers, but
Department of Health guidance for England and Wales discourages GPs from registering
refused asylum seekers as patients. 212 Practices do retain the discretion to register refused
asylum seekers, or to continue an existing registration.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 81/81i.pdf