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TAXPAYERS face a huge bill for a Pakistani teenager’s medical care after he won the right yesterday to fight for free NHS treatment because it is superior to the care he would get in his homeland.



Funny how these sort of stories turn up as the Government puts forward plans to charge healthcare tourists.

Not too sure how I feel about this, accident injury is one thing but tourists finding it cheaper to fly halfway around the world for treatment is something else.

I don't actually mind when It's genuine.

This teenager could possibly die If he doesn't get the right treatment so If treatment In the UK can save him, then he should be flown here.

The Issue I have with health tourism Is non essential treatment and surgery.

There ought to be some way of checking the validity of the people getting treatment, it is not for the Doctors to do this.

It's all very well allowing treatment for people in need, but a line should be drawn somewhere or else all the money will be blown on pregnant millionaire's wives.

Bruv;1438653 wrote: There ought to be some way of checking the validity of the people getting treatment, it is not for the Doctors to do this.

It's all very well allowing treatment for people in need, but a line should be drawn somewhere or else all the money will be blown on pregnant millionaire's wives.


It's the system. We've had a system where all are treated and then billed as they leave the country.... or not as the case may be. The NHS Is owed millions by the one's flying here for non essential treatment and then leaving without paying the bill.

Yet, I welcome life saving treatment, especially for children from poorer countries.

BBC News - Overseas 'health tourists' costing NHS at least £40m

If the system was changed to means testing, It could save money but then cost money with all the paperwork and red tape. Children could die while waiting for the red tape.