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Written question asked by Christopher Chope (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 October 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 October 2012. It was answered by Anna Soubry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many NHS hospitals and NHS hospital trusts in England employ dedicated managers to ensure that visitors from overseas, not eligible for free treatment, pay what is due;

[124529]

Answer

The Department does not hold information on how many national health service hospital trusts in England employ dedicated managers to make and recover charges to overseas visitors. However, the Department does strongly recommend that NHS bodies have such a person to. oversee the implementation of the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011, as amended.

NHS trusts' accounts show that the total income received from overseas visitors liable for charges for 2011-12 was £19,515,000. The chairman of Monitor informs us that the similar figure for NHS foundation trusts was £13,000,000. Income received means the total amount that those bodies invoiced overseas visitors, not what they received from them in payment.

The initial phase of the review of charging overseas visitors for NHS care concluded earlier this year and is now being considered. The Department will respond in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
124529; 551 cc779-780W
Session
2012-13
Subjects
Health services Fees and charges Foreign nationals NHS Overseas visitors
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk