Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia
US Vice President JD Vance: There is currently no security infrastructure in place to ensure the disarmament of Hamas
Israeli occupation forces said that "ceasefire in Gaza begins to be re-implemented."
Israeli media: 'Israel' to halt entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza until further notice.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One woman was killed and several children were injured as a result of Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans' tents in the Mawasi area of ​​Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted the eastern areas of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam Brigades: Communication has been severed with what our remaining fighters (if any are still alive) in Rafah, which is currently under occupation's control.

UK NHS slammed for 'inhumane' fees depriving migrants of treatment

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Observer/The Guardian
  • 20 Aug 2023 15:21
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Around 900 migrants in England were forced to decline NHS treatment over upfront charges.

  • x
  • A NHS (National Health Service) sign is pictured outside St Thomas' Hospital, near the Houses of Parliament London on March 8, 2017 (AFP)
    An NHS sign pictured outside St Thomas' Hospital, near the Houses of Parliament London on March 8, 2017 (AFP)

Over the past two years, hundreds of migrants in England have opted out of NHS (National Health Service) treatment after encountering upfront charges, exposing the UK's increasing hostility toward immigration.

Since January 2021, 3,545 patients across 68 hospital trusts have been confronted with upfront charges totaling £7.1 million. Of these cases, 905 patients at 58 trusts opted against proceeding with treatment due to the associated costs, according to data collected by The Observer. 

Read more: UK gov to return migrants to bacteria-infested barge: UK media

Since October 2017, NHS trusts in England have been mandated to demand payments in advance before providing elective care to specific migrants. This policy applies to overseas visitors and migrants deemed ineligible for free healthcare, such as failed asylum seekers and those with expired visas. Urgent or immediately necessary treatment is exempt from these charges, but errors in implementing this policy have been noted.

Read more: UK passes migration bill, UN says violates international law

Related News

Infectious diseases ‘spiraling out of control’ in Gaza, WHO warns

Experts condemn Israeli attacks on medical facilities as healthocide

In one case, a lung cancer patient was diagnosed as an emergency case but was informed that treatment required upfront payment, Dr Laura-Jane Smith, a consultant respiratory physician, told The Observer. The upfront payment prompted the patient to not return for a follow-up, illustrating the human toll of the policy's rigidity.

"This was someone who had been in the country for years but who did not have the right official migration status. A cancer diagnosis is devastating. To then be abandoned by the health service is inhumane," Smith said. 

In some cases, the consequences are fatal. In 2018, The Guardian reported the case of Elfreda Spencer, who died after being denied chemotherapy for a year, during which her cancer became terminal.

Commenting on the situation, Amardeep Kamboz, head of services at Doctors of the World UK, said, "Access to healthcare to all living in the UK, including secondary care, where we often see the most pressing health issues, should and can be equal, based on need and never dependent on someone’s financial or immigration status."

On their part, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson argued that upfront charges are required for non-urgent cases that can occur after the patient leaves the UK. "Immediately necessary or urgent care must never be withheld or delayed pending payment," they said. 

Read more: UK reveals plan to boost ailing health service

  • Health crisis
  • NHS
  • Healthcare
  • migrants
  • UK

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK blocks release of documents on secretive Lammy-Sa’ar meeting.
Politics

UK blocks release of documents on secret Lammy-Sa’ar meeting

Colombia slams Trump’s drug accusation, defends sovereignty
Politics

Colombia slams Trump’s incendiary drug claims, defends sovereignty

The abuse was detailed in Giuffre's memoir "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice." (AP)
Politics

Epstein victim recounts choking, sexual assault by 'well-known PM'

The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport President Donald Trump uses in Florida. (US Secret Service)
Politics

FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS