I am saddened by Elfreda Spencer’s death and sympathetic towards her family’s distress (They said ‘No, it’s £30,000 upfront or nothing’, 14 November). However, the NHS doesn’t have limitless funds; it is subject to numerous constraints and demands, and cannot meet all of them. Tragically, there are casualties, including UK nationals, who, despite making NHS contributions, have also been denied treatment.
The circumstances in which Ms Spencer and her family found themselves might have been avoidable through prevention, insurance and reciprocal healthcare agreements between countries. Britain must also close the gap allowing foreign nationals with a residential address in the UK to exploit it as health tourists.
Perhaps those entering the UK for extended visits should be required to undergo full health checks and be certificated as “fit”. They should also be properly insured for the possibility of more serious illnesses. Finally, the UK should have reciprocal funding arrangements with other countries to ensure that visitors taken ill here can receive treatment.
Charmaine Fletcher
Basildon, Essex
• You report the NHS demanding upfront charges from visitors to Britain. May I present the other side of the coin? I am 72, and for the first time in my life – after paying a lifetime of taxes in Britain – I have been forced to seek private healthcare. I am fortunate that I can afford to do so, although it means that I cannot afford to visit to my younger son who lives in New Zealand. The fact is that the NHS does not have unlimited funds. Why should I be penalised because a visitor who has not taken out the insurance that I take out every time I leave Britain wants to impose on my health service?
David Diprose
Thame, Oxfordshire
• According to Dr Chaand Nagpaul of the British Medical Association and others, including the shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, the upfront payment for health treatment from “migrants” and “visitors” should be stopped, as it is causing hardship and stress.
While I agree with the sentiments of these and others with similar views, I would tell them that since 1948 we have had a National Health Service not an international health service. I, my parents and family, and British taxpayers have – and are – still paying for the NHS.
People arriving on our shores, for holidays or for any other reason, should not think they are entitled to “free” NHS treatment. They should have insurance or the money to cover any possible emergency. The NHS is not “free”, it is paid for by our taxes.
Anybody who thinks “upfront” payment is wrong is quite entitled to assist by offering payment themselves to those who are not entitled to “free” treatment.
Michael Cook
Poole, Dorset
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