Written Question · S4W-09104 · Session 4
What rights to NHS services have non-EU citizens who are living and working in Scotland for less than one year.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what rights to NHS services have non-EU citizens who are living and working in Scotland for less than one year.
The answer
Immediate necessary treatment in an accident and emergency or casualty department is freely available to everyone, regardless of their residency status.
Under an exemption contained in the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989, as amended, all foreign nationals who have a legal right to be in Scotland and who are in employment are entitled to access NHS hospital treatment and services.
As general medical services (GMS) are provided by health professionals contracted to the NHS, it is a matter for general practitioners, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists to determine whether or not charges should be applied in providing GMS for overseas visitors.
However, in taking such decisions we suggest that GMS providers can refer to the principles of the Charging Regulations, underpinned by the guidance in CEL(2010)9 http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_09.pdf.
The Scottish Government has set up an overseas visitors helpline, operated by NHS inform, for the public and the service. We have also commissioned Health Rights Information Scotland to produce a series of information and advice leaflets covering the most common reasons that overseas visitors come to Scotland, and the healthcare they may be able to access while they are here. The leaflets are available at http://www.hris.org.uk/index.aspx?o=3936.
Under an exemption contained in the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989, as amended, all foreign nationals who have a legal right to be in Scotland and who are in employment are entitled to access NHS hospital treatment and services.
As general medical services (GMS) are provided by health professionals contracted to the NHS, it is a matter for general practitioners, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists to determine whether or not charges should be applied in providing GMS for overseas visitors.
However, in taking such decisions we suggest that GMS providers can refer to the principles of the Charging Regulations, underpinned by the guidance in CEL(2010)9 http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_09.pdf.
The Scottish Government has set up an overseas visitors helpline, operated by NHS inform, for the public and the service. We have also commissioned Health Rights Information Scotland to produce a series of information and advice leaflets covering the most common reasons that overseas visitors come to Scotland, and the healthcare they may be able to access while they are here. The leaflets are available at http://www.hris.org.uk/index.aspx?o=3936.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-09104 by reference.