Access to health care

Roger Pebody

Rules on the provision of free-of-charge HIV treatment to people subject to immigration control will change in October 2012. From that date, HIV treatment will be free, for all who need it.

However, until then, the rules described in these pages will still apply. While these rules are in many ways quite restrictive, it would be wrong to think that it is always impossible for people to get access to health care. There are important exemptions in the legislation, doctors retain discretion in some areas, and there is sometimes a gap between the law and actual practice.1

Anybody with HIV should be able to get the treatment that they need. Even if the hospital issues a bill, most people with HIV will not have to pay in practice.

References

  1. Hundt A “Healthcare” in Support for asylum seekers and other migrants. Eds Willman & Knafler, Legal Action Group , 2009

Acknowledgements

Written by: Roger Pebody

With thanks to: Chris Morley (George House Trust), Joe Murray (NAT), Yusef Azad (NAT), Sarah Radcliffe (NAT), Fizza Qureshi (Doctors of the World UK), Gary Christie (Scottish Refugee Council), Hannah Abbs (Southend Borough Council)

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.