It's not just in Brighton where migrants are facing charges for NHS healthcare. An investigation by Bristol Cable - an independent, reader-owned newspaper - found that one asylum seeker was handed a bill for £21,000 by the NHS. Meanwhile, NHS Trusts farmed out fee collection to private debt collectors.
In a parallel move, Bristol council is set to take part in a controversial Home Office scheme to target rough sleepers for immigration removal. The gradual introduction of charging and immigration checks to access public services is also a threat to all vulnerable people in Brighton. This led Sussex Defend NHS – in collaboration with other groups – to launch a pledge in 2018 against charging as this breaks the fundamental principle of health care free at the point of delivery. Sign our Pledge here: https://pledgeforthenhs.com/who-has-signed-the-pledge/ Read more from the Bristol Cable investigation on charging and the threatening language of debt collectors here:: https://thebristolcable.org/2019/07/revealed-nhs-under-fire-for-steep-increase-in-charging-migrants-for-healthcare/ and about targeting vulnerable groups: https://thebristolcable.org/2019/08/bristol-will-not-be-joining-11-councils-refusing-to-co-operate-on-plans-to-deport-rough-sleepers/
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Sussex Defend the NHS Archives
February 2023
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