Update: 

Thank you to all who added their signature to the letter. The Department of Health have now updated their guidance on the charging regulations including rules on NHS debtors which you can find here:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_131957.pdf

The full updated document is here:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_127393 

Migrants’ Rights Network have reported this week that in response to their letter to Anne Milton, they have received assurances that migrants will not be pursued for costs incurred for GP treatment.  The full MRN article is available in the new section below or here:

http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/blog/2012/01/department-health-provides-assurance-migrants-will-not-be-pursued-for-primary-health-service

Original post: Friday, 6 January

Changes to the Immigration Rules which came into effect in October 2011 now mean that foreign nationals who have outstanding NHS debts will be refused application for entry and stay to the UK.  Information will be shared between the NHS and the UKBA to make this possible. Thought the stated aim of this rule is to deter “health tourism” many organisations have expressed concern that there will be serious consequences for the health of vulnerable migrants.

Now that the rules are in place, the National Aids Trust (NAT) and the…