A new scheme being rolled out in England may require expectant women to present a formal copy of identification before giving birth.
According to reports today, St George’s Hospital in London is introducing the pilot scheme in a bid to clamp down on ‘health tourism’, whereby people are travelling to the UK from abroad to avail of NHS treatment.
Under the scheme, which has already received Government support, every expectant mother who arrives at the hospital for maternity services will have to prove they have the right to do so.
It is claimed that if you fail to produce an ID or proof of permanent UK residence, you may be charged for non-urgent use of the ambulance and A&E services.
Responding to the unveiling of the new plan, a representative from the Department of Health insisted that it centres on practices already inherent to the use of NHS services.
“NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts in England are legally obliged to check whether patients are eligible for non-emergency NHS treatment free at the point of use, and recover costs from the overseas patients who are not normally resident in the UK where charges apply,” a statement read.
It is thought that this scheme could be rolled out nationally if it proves successful.
