Free HIV treatment for foreigners

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....agree-change-law.html

Scotland hands out free prescriptions, & free elderly care, to it's inhabitants.

But England's inhabitants don't get any of these perks, neither can it's Government afford some life saving medicines.

But they are now going to provide foreigners with free HIV treatment to bring them in line with Scotland, Wales, and most of Europe it seems.

/// Ministers do not expect the change to lead to rise in ‘health tourism’ – people who fly to Britain to exploit the NHS – because Scotland and Wales already give free treatment to foreign HIV sufferers, and the practice is common across Europe. ///

Shouldn't they first think about putting England in line with Scotland, before they start dishing out more monies on other nationals?

I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be just another EU directive.

[andy-hughes]

Probably.

[B00]

Are HIV tests chargeable in the UK?

[Mosaic]

Coming over here, stealing our jobs and our womenfolk, hanging washing in the street and mooching a free HIV treatment regime.
Tch, that's foreigners for you. All of them. Every single one.

[FredPuli43]

In England, while there is exemption; free prescriptions; for pregnancy and a range of conditions such as diabetes (if not diet-controlled), cancer and Addison's disease, oddly HIV is not on the NHS list.

[anotheoldgit]

Boo

They are not free for foreign students and failed asylum seekers.

/// Failed asylum seekers and foreign students are currently banned from receiving drugs for the virus in England. ///

Perhaps we should keep it at that, and let them travel to Scotland or other countries in Europe, if they need treatment?

It would help to save our cash strapped NHS some money.

[B00]

I fail to see how it'll save money AOG. Especially if they have sex with other people.

[sandyRoe]

Even if there's not a bit of altruism involved this makes good sense. After their free treatment these foreigners would be less likely to pass the disease on to others here in the UK.

[anotheoldgit]

redhelen

/// I can't see what the problem is - would you complain if they infected people with HIV when they could have been cured? ///

Perhaps the students could receive free HIV treatment.

But the failed asylum seekers should not be free to roam around infecting people.

[mrs_overall]

said through gritted teeth....I'm with you AOG

[scowie]

Just to be clear... there is no cure for HIV. Once a person has contracted the virus they have it for the rest of their lives. Treatment may reduce the chance of it developing into AIDS or being passed on to others but no one is ever "cured".

[danchip]

its all very well saying how wonderful it is that Scotland give out free prescriptions but its not so great when the doctor wont prescribe you medicine because the NHS trust that you live in cant afford to pay for it!

[anotheoldgit]

mrs_overall

/// said through gritted teeth....I'm with you AOG ///

Why the need to start off in such a way?

If you agree or even disagree, just simply say so, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

[rov1100]

They don't flood to Mecca anymore for wonder cures. They know they can get them free in England if they can escape the border police.

[New Judge]

“...would you complain if they infected people with HIV when they could have been cured?” (redhelen)

No, what I complain about is that they are here at all. Countries that have politicians with any sense of responsibility towards its own citizens do not allow chronically ill people to enter their borders, let alone to remain. The UK, of course, has seemingly endless funds for people of every other nationality but its own.

“After their free treatment these foreigners would be less likely to pass the disease on to others here in the UK.” (sandyroe).

They’d be even less likely to pass the disease to others here in the UK if they were not here in the UK in the first place.

“...again you prove the point that you value money more than human life.” (triggerhappy)

It never ceases to amaze me how altruistic some can be with other people’s cash. Taxpayers in the UK are being told that savage cuts are necessary to cut costs. Despite health spending being allegedly “ring fenced” there is little doubt that services are being pared back. But meantime people who have no right to be here are being afforded free and quite expensive treatment in an effort to prevent them infecting others. At the same time life-saving drugs are being denied and care for the elderly is apparently becoming unaffordable.

Sorry, but once again the taxpayer deserves a little better.

[emmie]

NJ the taxpayer deserves a lot better, and you can get the HIV test free,
I had various tests done recently and one though it wasn't something i thought i needed , was a blood test for HIV, this was through the NHS, instantaneous too.

[sp1814]

em10

But I think the objection here is to HIV treatment, rather than just the test, which anyone can get for free at at health clinic.

[arwyn]

anotheroldgit I agree with most of what you say on here (I'v never read all your posts) and I admire your bottle to come on here and get shot down all the time.

My Mother was in hospital with breast cancer and all the Woman had had at least one breast removed. On the same ward was a very young Spanish Girl who had had a free boob job off the N.H.S . She paraded around showing them off and telling the woman to "have a look". Imagine how we all felt about foreigners coming here..