Internal Reference Number: FOI_8735
Date Request Received: 01/07/2025 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 15/07/2025 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: NHS Surcharge
Request Category: Private Individuals
| Question Number 1: Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to request the following information: a. A copy of any policies, standard operating procedure or guidance that sets out how the Trust identifies who qualifies as a foreign national or overseas visitor required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). b. Please provide the results of the last audit of this policy and compliance levels with it. If such an audit has not been conducted within the last five years, please say so. | |
| Answer To Question 1: The Trust complies with the NHS Overseas Visitor Charging Regulations 2015 (as amended). The Trust has no obligation to determine whether any individual is required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Information not held. | |
| Question Number 2: A copy of any policies that set out what steps are taken if a patient, eligible to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), seeks to access (or in fact has already accessed) services provided by the Trust for which payment would be owed. | |
| Answer To Question 2: The Trust does not have a policy regarding individuals eligible to pay the IHS. The Trust Overseas Patient Policy covers the management of individuals assessed as chargeable for NHS care and treatment, in compliance with the regulations above. It should be noted that the policy is under review but has been delayed due to the alignment of policy and processes with our partner Trusts Great Western Hospitals and Royal United Hospital Bath. See the attachment. To accompany this answer to question 2 please also see the documents listed below:  Overseas Visitors Policy - V1.1 Final.pdf | |
| Question Number 3: a. A copy of any policies, standard operating procedure or guidance which set out the steps taken to invoice a foreign national for any episode of care delivered by the Trust which was not billed/ invoiced for prior to the episode of care being delivered. b. A copy of any policies, standard operating procedure or guidance that set out the steps the Trust takes to collect unpaid debts where an episode / episodes of care have been provided to a foreign national. c. Data which sets out the total amount (in GBP) for each of the last 3 calendar years that has been collected for the provision of any episode of care for a foreign national (i.e. any individual who is not entitled to that care free at the point of use). i. Collected by the Trust ii. Collected by a third party iii. That the Trust has written off d. The total amount (in GBP) which remains uncollected by the Trust for the provision of any episode of care for a foreign national. | |
| Answer To Question 3: a. A copy of any policies, standard operating procedure or guidance which set out the steps taken to invoice a foreign national for any episode of care delivered by the Trust which was not billed/ invoiced for prior to the episode of care being delivered. Information not held. b. A copy of any policies, standard operating procedure or guidance that set out the steps the Trust takes to collect unpaid debts where an episode / episodes of care have been provided to a foreign national. NHS Shared Business Services are commissioned by the Trust to manage the collection of Overseas Patient invoices. You can contact them on foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk c. Data which sets out the total amount (in GBP) for each of the last 3 calendar years that has been collected for the provision of any episode of care for a foreign national (i.e. any individual who is not entitled to that care free at the point of use). This information is published via the Trust Annual Report: /about-us/trust-reports-and-reviews/ i. Collected by the Trust/ii. Collected by a third party - we do not have a split between collected by Trust and third party 2022-23 = 拢75,000 2023-24 = 拢196,000 2024-25 = 拢65,000 iii. That the Trust has written off 2022-23 = 拢3,000 2023-24 = $97,000 2024-25 = $13,000 d. The total amount (in GBP) which remains uncollected by the Trust for the provision of any episode of care for a foreign national. 2022-23 = 拢87,000 2023-24 = 拢143,000 2024-25 = 拢273,000 | |
| Please see Attachments: | |
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Our staff at 91影视 District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
