Isn't It Time That Our Weak Politicians Grasped The Nettle?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264259/NHS-generous-migrants-says-GPs-refuse-treat-entered-country-illegally.html

It now seems that action to this growing problem on the resources of our NHS, is now having to be taken up at grass roots level.

Isn't it now time for those whose responsibility it is, to take the necessary action that we all know needs to be taken?

[jake-the-peg]

I don't know where this nonsense about tuorists etc. comes from

Overseas visitors get Emergency treatment and treatment for certain communicable diseases.

You have to be "ordinarilly resident" in the UK to be treated

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074374

[VHG]

>>I don't know where this nonsense about tuorists etc. comes from

I used to live in Hillingdon West london, where Heathrow Airport is.

Our local hospitals used to get loads of people (mostly from Pakistan / India) who flew here near the end of their pregnancy (and hid it under their flowing robs) just to have the baby in the UK.

There was also a case a few years ago of a man from Egypt who had £80,000 of NHS treatment to his heart, then went back to Egypt without paying for it.

Health tourism is a massive problem, that WE are all paying for.

[Sqad]

Tourists, legal and illegal immigrants can all get treatment on the NHS in excess of the conditions described by JTP's thread, just be getting "signed on" to the Gp's list.

That gives the patient carte blanche to all investigations and treatment free of charge on the NHS.

That is where the problem lies.....I am not suggesting that receptionists are getting back handers (perhaps I am) but there lies the weakness in the system.

[Sqad]

Sorry...I haven't answered AOG's question......Yes it it time that Politicians grasped the nettle, but how would one scrutinise the honesty of the GP set up, as the GP is paid per patient on his list.

[VHG]

There was a "panorama" type program on before Christmas about an Asian NHS guy (in London I think) who would charge a few hundred pounds to give anyone (illegal immigrants) the right paperwork and NHS cards to get free NHS tratment.

I dont think most people realise the extent of fraud committed by immigrants and illegal immigrants in this country.

Many immigrants come from countries where the idea of the government giving you money for nothing is alien to them.

So when they come to the UK and they can get money for being unemployed, or disabled, or housing benefit to live in their house, they cant believe it and take full advantage of it.

A white friend of mine went to an Asian wedding a few years ago and he said the main topic of conversation was how to fiddle the benefit system.

He said he learned more about how the benefit system can be fiddled in an hour there than he had in the whole rest of his life.

We are being conned, scammed and stolen from a daily basis by many immigrants so it is no wonder we are broke.

It could all end in a nasty "racial" war in the next few decades.

[Sqad]

VHJ

Good post.

\\\dont think most people realise the extent of fraud committed by immigrants and illegal immigrants in this country. \\

and by NHS employees including doctors........would make MP's expenses scandal "small fry."

[anotheoldgit]

Yes I know for a fact that many Asian doctors, dish out free prescriptions to their fellow countrymen.

[pdq1]

Yes its certainly a growing problem and must be difficult for GPs to turn away someone seriously ill. However the first point of call in a GPs surgery is the receptionist who makes the bookings. If they are like ours they stand for no nonsense and refuse to accept them. Maybe thats why they end up at A&E which puts a tremendous workload on the overstretched service.

The triage nurse at A&E should also be issued with guidelines on how to treat them and refer them to the nearest chemist, Instead it seems we issue them with translators which cost the NHS even more money.

[youngmafbog]

Yep,
step 1 - get out the EU
Step 2 - Get out of the ECHR
Step 3 - Take control of our country
Step 4 - Deport all right-on lefties.

[ChillDoubt]

I was going to make reference to that programme too VHG.

One facet of it not mentioned was (and I know it's only a small amount but it does happen) the numbers of foreign Doctors in this country who have relatives 'visit them for a holiday', only to mysteriously require admission to hospital for some form of treatment within days of arriving here. Hospital administrators probably turn a blind eye to it because it's doubtless seen as a perk of the job, but it's no different to the other scammers.

[anotheoldgit]

Anyone else noticed that a large proportion of 'foreigners' seem to have no trouble qualifying for a Blue Badge?

[emmie]

there was a programme on a few weeks back, I think it was a BBC news reporter, who visited any number of Pharmacies, and discovered that they are selling doctors prescription only drugs, like anti psychotics, valium, and cashing in big time. Illegal and most definitely should be reported to the police, and whoever in BMA.

[Ric.ror]

Trouble is without all these 'foreign doctors' wouldn't the NHS grind to a halt?
It seems all the 'homegrown' doctors cannot wait to scuttle off to warmer climes - mentioning no names ;-))

[ChillDoubt]

It's a two way thing though Ric.ror, yes they fill the gap of vacancies here but do so knowing they will get probably the best medical training in the world, so it's a fair trade-off.

[boxtops]

AOG: "Yes I know for a fact that many Asian doctors, dish out free prescriptions to their fellow countrymen. "

How do they do that, then, AOG? You have to be able to prove you are entitled to free prescriptions - the GPs don't keep the drugs on the premises. When the completed scripts go back to the PPA, they get checked on a number of headings - not having an exemption or a pre-payment certificate would be one of them.

[emmie]

ric.cor, not sure whether they scuttle off to sunnier climes, however i do object to so many here. would the NHS fall to bits, unlikely..

[Gromit]

Just sounds like the GPs are after a admin fee to process these people.

There are many people who never go to the doctors and their GP practice gets money for them which they gladly just pocket.

Swings and roundabouts.

I would not pay GPs anymore to fill in a few forms.

[emmie]

our GP practice seems have absorbed the world and his dog, i was quoted a three week wait for an appointment, which i didn't take up, if it's urgent i would simply go to A&E.

[Gromit]

// Anyone else noticed that a large proportion of 'foreigners' seem to have no trouble qualifying for a Blue Badge? //

Obviously you do not have any evidence to support that because like most of the OP it is completely untrue.

[Gromit]

// I know for a fact that many Asian doctors, dish out free prescriptions to their fellow countrymen. //

Again, any evidence? Why have you not reported them to your local NHS trust. More made up nonsense being passed off as fact.