Foreigners: NHS

David T.C. Davies
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the planned identity card scheme will enable NHS managers to check the eligibility of non-EU citizens for NHS outpatient care.

Meg Hillier
ID cards issued under the UK Borders Act to non-EU citizens will record an individual’s immigration status, indicating whether the person has limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain. It will not contain details of the individual’s right to NHS services. Where a person has no recourse to public funds, the card will have the statement “no recourse to public funds”.

The criteria for access to NHS services are defined by the NHS therefore it would be the health care provider’s responsibility to confirm eligibility.