Take Action! Responses to Government Consultation on Access to Healthcare for Vulnerable Migrants

Written by Jonny Currie, about 1 year ago | Permalink | Campaign: Medsin Entitlement Campaign

A Department of Health consultation on access to healthcare for oversees visitors has begun online at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_113233. It includes proposed changes to the charging regulations for overseas visitors requiring hospital treatment and the recovery of any charges.

We want as many people as possible to respond to this consultation using resources we've prepared in order to make clear how strongly our members and colleagues feel about current access to healthcare for vulnerable migrant populations.

Why is this important?

Medsin and other groups have been campaigning to relax current regulations in order to protect access to healthcare services for groups such as refused asylum seekers and undocumented migrants – currently liable to be charged for secondary healthcare – both to uphold their rights to healthcare and to protect UK public health.

How can I get involved?

Medact and Medsin have produced a model response and resources for those wanting to respond to the Department of Health consultation on access to the NHS for foreign nationals. It is important that as many people as possible respond to the consultation which closes on 30 June 2010. Encourage as many people as you can to do the same and to use resources like the website to take action!

To get involved and make a response to the consultation visit the website at http://respondtonhscharging.wordpress.com/ which includes a range of information and resources including:

  • a model response
  • responses of key organisations
  • briefing documents
  • a short film made by Daniel Harding
  • further information on specific areas of concern
  • a comment and discussion area

If you're interested in contributing to a response being made by the Medsin Entitlement Campaign please do not hesitate to get in touch at access@medsin.org.

Medsin Entitlement Campaign

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