Migrants need health provision – march on Saturday

No one should be afraid to go to the doctor, either because they can't pay or might be punished. And doctors should not have to police the people they treat. The UK Government is proposing to amend the 'NHS Charging Regulations', which govern how people access healthcare in England and when they have to pay for it.

Since 1948, the NHS has given free health care to UK residents. Its founding principles were healthcare free for all, regardless of ability to pay. This was a universal right, which applied to all who lived in Britain. Under the Immigration Act 2014, the government is planning to charge certain migrants for GP and emergency treatment. Non-EU migrants and students will be forced to pay before being allowed NHS treatment, and refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants will be excluded from many crucial services.

There are already processes in place for hospitals to identify and bill 'chargeable' patients for their care, but the regulations seek to extend charging. The most recent changes include firstly an extension of healthcare charges to community care settings – which are often commissioned specifically to reach marginalised communities and individuals. Secondly, they include an obligation to check every patient's paperwork to identify who is eligible for free care and charge up-front those who are not, refusing non-urgent care where a patient cannot pay.

It's long been the case that people classed as "overseas visitors" must pay for hospital care from the NHS. The category includes those who are on short-term visits to the UK, some who have been refused asylum, and others who are completely off the radar of the Home Office. However, on 21 August 2017, this scheme was extended. These individuals are now not only expected to pay for hospital care but for community services received outside of hospitals – things like district nursing and community midwifery.

These amendments, subject to negative procedure and due to fully come into force on 5 November 2017, have been laid before Parliament without evaluation of their impact on health outcomes and health inequalities.

On Saturday 30 September, Docs Not Cops together with Sisters Uncut, Migrants Organise, MedAct and Students for Global Action are calling for an end to immigration checks in the NHS. There will be marches in London, Manchester and Newcastle. If you would like to know more or want to join the marches, more information can be found on the Docs not Cops website: www.docsnotcops.co.uk/