If you wish a GP can accept any patient as a temporary resident for
primary care. Equally you can refuse to accept him on your NHS list
either as TR or registered. However this does not entitle him to
automatic 'free' secondary care and it is very likely that he may be
charged by a hospital as it does sound as if his condition predated his
arrival in the UK. In the past our practice has accepted such patients
as TR's. However I think we are steadily enforcing the 'rules', such as
they, are a little more stringently. If it is any help I enclose an
attachment of the form of words we display in our reception area.
I think, personally, if he appears terminal or near terminal I probably
would give benefit of the doubt and treat as a TR. On the other hand it
might just be worth checking if he has travel insurance. If he doesn't
, it does rather suggest that he and his family assumed that 'the rest
of the Worlds' National Health Service would just say 'yes'. If he is
insured then I would probably charge anyway.
Roger Leary. GP, Esher, Surrey.
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-----Original Message-----
>I would be grateful for some collective wisdom on the issue of overseas
bods
>using NHS services and their GP registration status. I've had a mild
>disagreement with my partners and I would like to be sure of some
facts.
>
TREATMENT OF OVERSEAS VISITORS
Visitors are entitled to free NHS treatment provided you come from one of the following countries and your condition has occurred or has been exacerbated since arrival in the UK.
All EEC countries (Belgium, Denmark, Eire, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain )
Non EEC countries ( Anguilla, Australia, Austria, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Czechoslovakia, Falkland Islands, Finland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Malta,
Montserrat, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, St. Helena, Sweden, Turks & Caicos Islands, USSR, Yugoslavia.)
ALL OTHER VISITORS from countries not listed above will ONLY be treated as private patients and charged accordingly . If your stay is for 6 months or more you can be treated under the NHS. Please ask at the Reception for the scale of fees. Payment must be made at time of treatment. A receipt can be given but promise of future payment by your insurance company is not acceptable.
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