ACCESS TO HEALTH

That this House is concerned that non-emergency NHS secondary care is being denied to refused asylum seekers under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) Regulation 2004; recognises the negative impact on the health and threat to life of these vulnerable and impoverished people denied hospital care; notes that the number of people denied healthcare under the Regulation is unknown; further notes that the Health Select Committee has found no evidence of health tourism by asylum seekers; believes that the NHS should provide services such as maternity care and treatment for cancer, diabetes and communicable diseases on the basis of need, not ability to pay; welcomes the Refugee Council's `First do no harm' report and Just.Fair campaign and also the Treat With Respect campaign, which are bringing the impact of this unjust policy to light; and urges the Government to bring forward amendments to the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) Regulation 2004 to exclude refused asylum seekers from liability to pay.