NHS data tag for Overseas Visitor Charging raises privacy concerns

Plans to create a new digital tag for the records of NHS patients from overseas have caused concern among doctors, immigration and privacy rights campaigners. The proposed data category for 'Overseas Visitor Charging' would be added to national NHS records under proposals inherited by the Labour government from its predecessor. The proposals represent a test of the government's approach to sharing migrants' NHS data, which was controversial under the Conservatives due to concerns about privacy rights and the expansion of the "hostile environment."

Anna Miller, head of policy and advocacy at Doctors of the World, expressed concerns, stating, "Major data-sharing arrangements like this one make it very difficult for us to reassure patients that hospitals are safe places and that patient confidentiality will be respected." She added, "Every day in our clinic we see patients who are too afraid to go to NHS services because they worry they will be reported to immigration enforcement."

While individuals with an active asylum claim are exempt from NHS charges, trusts have limited discretion in applying charges to other users of NHS services, such as migrants. Trusts must raise an invoice for charges incurred, and if a person is deemed unable to pay, guidelines advise against pursuing the bill, leaving the patient in debt to the trust. The notification of the debt is then passed on to the Home Office, which can use it as grounds to refuse certain immigration applications.