Concerns are growing that undocumented migrants are dying of Covid-19 at home rather than seeking medical help
As reports of undocumented migrants dying at home because they are too afraid to seek medical care become public, members of parliament in the UK have written to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, urging the government to suspend NHS charges and surcharges and immigration checks during the coronavirus crisis. A policy of sharing data currently exists between the NHS and the Home Office.
In addition to parliamentary support, the move has also received backing from the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Doctors of the World.
The government’s response to the group’s request noted that coronavirus had previously been added to the list of infectious diseases for which everyone, including persons from overseas regardless of their immigration status, can receive treatment or testing free of charge and it confirmed that NHS trusts would be reminded that immigration checks to establish entitlement to free care were therefore not required.
