HEALTH SERVICE users and workers have been campaigning to stop Barts NHS Trust – which runs five major hospitals across East London – from running a “hostile environment” for migrants.
The “hostile environment” is a strategy developed by the Conservative Government intended to make life so difficult for migrants that they go away – and deter others from trying to come to the UK.
The latest salvo from local campaigners came in the form of an open letter, which they delivered to the Deputy CEO of Barts Health NHS Trust, Shane DeGaris, on Friday last week. The activists walked from the East London Mosque to the Royal London Hospital to meet Mr DeGaris and hand him a letter – which had been signed by 250 supporters.
The letter asks the Trust to stop collaborating with the “hostile environment” but specifically to: •stop asking patients to prove their immigration status; •suspend the practice of charging patients before they are allowed to access treatment, so that the impact of the charges can be reviewed.
Campaigners point out that the NHS was set up as an institution that was supposed to offer medical treatment to anyone in need – rather than acting as a second tier immigration authority. They believe that the Trust reports around 100 patients to the Home Office every week, so that their immigration status can be checked. This can cause a delay in patients receiving treatment, which can mean that they need more treatment when they do finally receive the right care – or that they return to the community with an infectious disease which then sees more patients putting demands on the NHS.
The Government’s new charging policy is already raising thousands of pounds from migrant workers who are paying a flat rate surcharge to be eligible for NHS treatment – even if they are already paying taxes and National Insurance contributions. Migrant workers from countries outside the EU have to pay £400 a year for every members of their family, whether they need treatment or not – or £300 if they are students. Overseas visitors who find they need treatment are charged the cost of that care – plus an extra 50% on top.
Despite the effort put into investigating patients, campaigners claim to have found a number of examples of patients receiving inappropriate bills. One homeless person, who was living on the streets but also receiving treatment for cancer, is said to have received a bill for £86,000.
Bow GP Dr Jackie Applebee, who has been heavily involved in the campaign, asked local residents to support the campaign and sign the open letter.
•For more information about the campaign, contact: North East London Save Our NHS: https://www.facebook.com/northeastlondonsonhs/ Dr Jackie Applebee: 07821-832 606.
•Read more about it: Campaigners tackle Barts Trust on charging migrants Barts blames Government for migrant checks