The applicant had come to England to have heart surgery. He expected to pay, and brought with him sufficient to pay for the operation. Unanticipated complications led to delay, and the depletion of his funds. He applied for the operation to be paid for from NHS funds. The hospital refused, and the court held rightly so. The legislation provided no obligation to provide health services for overseas visitors. Such services were provided on a commercial basis, and the operation would be available to him if he returned home to Nigeria.
Citations:
Gazette 21-Sep-2000, [2000] EWHC Admin 363
Links:
Statutes:
National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors)
Health, Benefits
Updated: 29 May 2022; Ref: scu.140178