Access to health care in the UK is based on residency and not on nationality. Every ‘ordinarily resident’ has the right to be treated. This means undocumented migrants can receive primary health care in the UK, but since 2004, the rules have become stricter for undocumented migrants. The definition ‘ordinarily resident’ has been restricted to ‘lawfully resident’. News rules ban undocumented migrants from free hospital treatment. Registration with a general practitioner is still possible, but at the discretion of the doctor. The following links have information about health care for undocumented migrants. Some organizations help illegal migrants find medical care:
- Doctors of the World fight for medical care for illegal migrants in the UK. They give information, answer questions, help undocumented people to find medical care and organize consults.
- Newham is a multicultural London borough, and this website has information on health care in Newham.
- Terrence Higgins Trust and National Aids Trust, note on access to HIV treatment for undocumented migrants:
- The Department of Health The NHS in England: Core Principles.
- PICUM, The platform for international Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants
General information about the health care system in the UK can be found on: http://www.nhs.uk
