For the record:
In England we now have Clinical Commissioning Groups, who commission services for their local communities. All GP parctises now belong to their local CCG.
NHS Northern Ireland, NHS Wales and NHS Scotland are similar but not the same with regards to how and what they commission.
WLS is not free in England to everyone who 'qualifies' unfortunatley each CCG seem to have carried over the previous PCT criteria, which is very much a postcode lottery. For me I would have to have had congenital heart disease and a BMI over 65 to receive NHS funding.
As far as people from the EU getting surgery in England, this has been widely publicised - it isn't free necessarily. One of the following 'could' apply:
The person is an ordinary resident in the UK - in which case, yes it's free for the following:
Anyone who has lived lawfully in the UK for the 12 months prior to treatment. An absence of up to 182 days is allowed but you must have had immigration permission to be in the UK for the full 12 months.
Anyone taking up, or resuming, permanent residence in the UK. You must have the right to live here permanently, or a route to settlement allowing permanent residence in time. You may be asked to show how you emigrated to the UK.
Anyone who is working in the UK for a UK-based employer or who is self-employed in the UK. This does not include people looking for work.
Any full-time student attending either a course of at least six months' duration, or a course substantially funded by the UK government.
Any volunteer with a voluntary organisation providing services similar to health or social services.
Diplomatic staff posted to the UK.
Serving NATO personnel.
Anyone who receives a UK war pension, war widows pension or armed forces compensation scheme payment.
Former UK residents of 10 continuous years or more who are now working abroad (including self employed people) for not more than five years.
Anyone given refugee status in the UK.
Those seeking asylum or humanitarian protection, until their applications, including appeals, are decided.
Failed asylum seekers receiving section 4 or section 95 UK Border Agency support.
Children in the care of the local authority.
Anyone who is detained in prison or by the Immigration Authorities in the UK.
Anyone employed on a ship or vessel registered in the UK.
The spouse or civil partner and any children (under 16) of anyone who is exempt under the above criteria, but only if accompanying the exempt person on a permanent basis.
If they are not an ordinary resident (ie they are visiting) but their country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Some treatments are free too.
So without knowing the status of these people receiving NHS funding, please don't assume they are not entitiled to it.
In England we now have Clinical Commissioning Groups, who commission services for their local communities. All GP parctises now belong to their local CCG.
NHS Northern Ireland, NHS Wales and NHS Scotland are similar but not the same with regards to how and what they commission.
WLS is not free in England to everyone who 'qualifies' unfortunatley each CCG seem to have carried over the previous PCT criteria, which is very much a postcode lottery. For me I would have to have had congenital heart disease and a BMI over 65 to receive NHS funding.
As far as people from the EU getting surgery in England, this has been widely publicised - it isn't free necessarily. One of the following 'could' apply:
The person is an ordinary resident in the UK - in which case, yes it's free for the following:
Anyone who has lived lawfully in the UK for the 12 months prior to treatment. An absence of up to 182 days is allowed but you must have had immigration permission to be in the UK for the full 12 months.
Anyone taking up, or resuming, permanent residence in the UK. You must have the right to live here permanently, or a route to settlement allowing permanent residence in time. You may be asked to show how you emigrated to the UK.
Anyone who is working in the UK for a UK-based employer or who is self-employed in the UK. This does not include people looking for work.
Any full-time student attending either a course of at least six months' duration, or a course substantially funded by the UK government.
Any volunteer with a voluntary organisation providing services similar to health or social services.
Diplomatic staff posted to the UK.
Serving NATO personnel.
Anyone who receives a UK war pension, war widows pension or armed forces compensation scheme payment.
Former UK residents of 10 continuous years or more who are now working abroad (including self employed people) for not more than five years.
Anyone given refugee status in the UK.
Those seeking asylum or humanitarian protection, until their applications, including appeals, are decided.
Failed asylum seekers receiving section 4 or section 95 UK Border Agency support.
Children in the care of the local authority.
Anyone who is detained in prison or by the Immigration Authorities in the UK.
Anyone employed on a ship or vessel registered in the UK.
The spouse or civil partner and any children (under 16) of anyone who is exempt under the above criteria, but only if accompanying the exempt person on a permanent basis.
If they are not an ordinary resident (ie they are visiting) but their country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Some treatments are free too.
So without knowing the status of these people receiving NHS funding, please don't assume they are not entitiled to it.
