British Dental Association Expresses Concern Over New Immigration Health Policies
The British Dental Association has expressed concerns about plans to introduce new health policies for immigrants who have recently arrived in the UK.
The Government has revealed proposals aimed at preventing people from coming to the UK to make use of free health services, but the British Dental Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners are worried that doctors and dentists are being asked to take on extra roles, which are nothing to do with their primary role as carers. Dr Clare Gerarda, chair of the Royal College of GPs, aid that there are concerns that doctors and dentists will be taking on border control services when their time is already precious and they should be focusing on providing care for patients.
Dr Judith Husband, from the BDA, said that the issue of policing who receives free treatment on the NHS and who does not may cause doctors and dentists to be involved in difficult situations, which go against their primary urge to treat anyone in their care and NHS principles, which state that care should be available to all, regardless of financial status.
Jeremy Hunt, Health Minister, revealed proposals to try and clamp down on abuse of the NHS by migrants; with increased pressure on the NHS, the government is looking for ways to reduce spending and ensure that services are available for those who should qualify for free treatment. Free treatment should not be available to some foreign visitors and nationals, yet Mr Hunt claims that health professionals are not doing their job in making people who should be paying for their care pay up.
Dr Husband said that if the government is planning to introduce new legislation, health professionals must be briefed in full and provided with guidelines so that they are able to fulfill their duties properly.
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