I am writing to make you aware that on the 26 February 2010 the Department of Health launched a consultation exercise on a review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals. Details of the consultation are available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_113233
The deadline for the Department of Health consultation is 30 June 2010. This extended deadline takes account of the fact that a general election must be held by 3 June and that active engagement in consultations should not take place during a campaign period.
We are keen to obtain the views of all parties with an interest in access to the NHS by foreign nationals, and also access by UK nationals who spend time outside the UK, and believe your organisation would be able to contribute to the consultation.
The Home Office launched a linked consultation on the same date, which examines the proposal to amend the immigration rules to allow a person with an unpaid debt to the NHS to be refused a new or extended stay until it has been paid. Details of that consultation can be found at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/consultations/current
Please note that information we receive, including personal information, may be published or disclosed in accordance with the access to information regimes (primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004). If you have concerns regarding the confidentiality of the information you wish to provide, please review the information on confidentiality included in the Consultation document.
I’d be grateful if you would pass this letter on to the organisations which are listed on your website as Still Human Still Here campaign supporters.
I look forward to receiving your replies at overseasvisitorsconsultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Yours faithfully
David Pennington
Head of Overseas Visitors Charging Policy
4W07, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UE
26 February 2010
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