I HAVE been watching the very enlightening ‘Hospital’ programme series on BBC television and this week’s episode featured overseas patients receiving treatment.
The treatment was provided and then, as non-residents, the patients were invoiced for this.
Most of these had returned to their own country and in every case not one of the invoices had been paid and I suspect there is little likelihood of funds ever being received.
The hard working dedicated staff always carry out necessary treatment without question.
When we travel abroad we are expected to have insurance and in other countries they will not treat you unless you have insurance and usually insist on a credit card payment even when you do.
While you cannot fault the staff at hospitals for responding with treatment, with all the financial pressures the NHS is under, maybe we should be firmer in how we handle the treatment for such patients.
MICHAEL WHITE
Lindsay Road, Poole
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