The Rogerstone Practice

 

 Treatment of Overseas Visitors

 

 

 

 Introduction

 

 This paper outlines the arrangements for treatment of overseas visitors in:

(1)      An emergency       (free NHS treatment)

(2)      Other circumstances   (chargeable private treatment)

 

 

 Treatment

 

 The practice is required to offer overseas visitors free emergency treatment or immediately necessary medical treatment owing to an accident or other emergency. No distinction is made on the grounds of nationality or residence. This does not apply to non-emergency treatment or treatment that is not immediately necessary.

 

 Overseas visitors may ask to be registered as an NHS patient with a GP, however, it is up to the practice to decide whether to accept that patient as an NHS patient. The practice can, however, accept the patient as a private patient and charge as appropriate. It is the policy of this practice to accept patients for treatment on a private basis.

 

  Charges

 

 · A minimum charge for a private consultation of up to 15 minutes is £25.00,

    then charges are made on a pro rata basis beyond that time.

 

 · An extra charge of £10.00 is made for the issue of a private prescription.

 

 · Information on charges for any additional services will be provided as appropriate.

 

 

 Any charges due must be paid prior to the commencement of treatment. A receipt will be issued for the sum paid.

 

 Any questions on entitlement to Free NHS treatment

 

 A person ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK is entitled to free medical treatment.

 

 Definition of ‘ordinarily resident’ is when a person is ‘lawfully living in the UK, voluntarily and for a settled purpose as part of the regular order of his or her life for the time being.’

 

 ‘A person must have an identifiable purpose for his or her residence here and that purpose must have a sufficient degree of continuity to be properly described as settled. It is unlikely that anyone coming to live in the UK intending to stay less that 6 months will fulfil these criteria.’ (Taken from Welsh Health Circular 99/32).

 

It is primarily the patient’s duty and responsibility and not the NHS to prove that he or she is eligible to free NHS care.

 

       What a person needs to prove if he or she is resident in the UK

       Examples of evidence of residence:

       Housing contracts, utility bills, bank statements.

 

If necessary the Practice Manager will contact the Local Health Board to resolve any issues, prior to the commencement of treatment.

 

Date 07.07.05

 

 

Overseas Patient Policy

Phone: 01633 890800

Fax: 01633 890810

Email: enquiries@gp-w93061.wales.nhs.uk

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