Campaign to amend the Health Bill

In March 2009, the Court of Appeal Judgment found that failed asylum seekers cannot be considered 'ordinarily resident' in the UK and are not exempt from charging, even if they have lived in the UK for a year.

This is very concerning as it imposes policy which requires healthcare professionals to consider their patients immigration status before complying with their vital duty of care.

Following this, on the 20th June 2009 the Government issued a press release on a number of proposals it has agreed on in its review of the rules on charging foreign nationals to access the NHS.
View these recommendations.

It is very important for  HEALTHlink members to consider these recommendations in view of the public consultation to take place any time soon, to lobby Government effectively to protect vulnerable populations from excessive and unfair charging for healthcare.

We will be in touch with you with further information on how to coordinate your response in submitting evidence as HEALTHlink members when the consultation takes place.

Lobby your MP

In the meantime, keep lobbying your MPs to urge them to support any amendment which would allow refused asylum seekers free access to secondary healthcare.

Sign our petitions

CALLING ALL GPs  Help petition the DoH to stop restricting access to GP's for refused asylum seekers and other marginalised groups.

Sign our petition now!