Refusing entry or stay to NHS debtors (February to June 2010)

The UK Border Agency and the Department of Health (England) conducted public consultations during the spring of 2010 to explore the recommendations of a joint review into migrants' access to the NHS.

We consulted on a proposal to change the Immigration Rules so that we can refuse permission to enter or stay in the UK if a migrant is subject to immigration control and is in debt to the NHS above a prescribed amount. The consultation set out how we would work in partnership with the NHS to administer these new arrangements.

The change to the Immigration Rules would supplement our existing work to identify and remove visitors who are trying to conceal an intention to access NHS services while they are in the UK.

The government's consultation response was published on 18 March 2011 and comprised of separate documents from the UK Border Agency and the Department of Health (England).

As a consequence of the consultations, the UK Border Agency has decided to implement a change to the Immigration Rules in October 2011. Those who fail to disharge debts to the NHS of or in excess of £1,000 will normally be refused permission to enter or remain in the UK. The NHS will provide sufficient information to the UK Border Agency to enable it to identify the debtor but medical records will not be shared.

Both consultations were open to the public until 30 June 2010. They are now closed.

You can download the UK Border Agency consultation document and consultation results report below. The Department of Health consultation and report are available from the Department of Health website.

Last Updated: 10 October 2011