Petition · past parliament
Withdraw attempts to charge non-EEA citizens for access to emergency care
Closed
115 signatures
What the petition asks
The Government is considering charging non-European Economic Area citizens for access to emergency care, including ambulance services and A&E.
This goes against the principles of the NHS and the logic of universal healthcare; it is unimplementable, cruel, and dangerous to the nation's health.
This goes against the principles of the NHS and the logic of universal healthcare; it is unimplementable, cruel, and dangerous to the nation's health.
An NHS 'free at the point of use' is essential to its very being, irrespective of nationality.
The Government's plans (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34685022) should be withdrawn because:
- they provide a cruel barrier to healthcare for many
- doctors should not have to act as border guards
- they will exacerbate health emergencies and increase costs for injuries as people seek to delay accessing care
- they present a dangerous precedent which could see charges introduced for all patients
The Government's plans (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34685022) should be withdrawn because:
- they provide a cruel barrier to healthcare for many
- doctors should not have to act as border guards
- they will exacerbate health emergencies and increase costs for injuries as people seek to delay accessing care
- they present a dangerous precedent which could see charges introduced for all patients
Timeline
| 3 Nov 2015 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 3 May 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
115
Status
Closed
Opened
3 Nov 2015
Closed
3 May 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.