Summary of entitlement

 

Primary care (GP services)

HIV and STI treatment, TB, A&E, family planning etc.

Other secondary care (hospital treatment)

Current asylum seeker (including any ongoing appeal)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Granted refugee status, indefinite leave to remain, discretionary leave to remain or humanitarian protection

Yes

Yes

Yes

Refused asylum seeker receiving UKBA support

Yes, at GP’s discretion

Yes

Yes

Undocumented migrant (visa over-stayer, illegal entrant etc.)

Yes, at GP’s discretion

Yes

No, with certain exceptions

EEA national

Yes

Yes

Yes

Key exceptions:

  • “Immediately necessary” treatment must be provided without delay, including to someone without entitlement, who may be charged for it.
  • A course of treatment that was begun when the person was entitled to free care must be continued without charging until that course of treatment comes to an end.

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 It may have been superseded by more recent developments.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.