Asylum seekers access to the NHS
If you have applied for asylum you are entitled to NHS treatment, including hospital treatment, free of charge for as long as your application is being considered - including appeals. However, like everyone else, you may have to pay certain statutory charges such as prescription costs unless you qualify for exemption. You are also entitled to register at a GP using the same process described above. You will need an HC2 form, provided by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), or available at pharmacies to receive free medicines, dental treatment, eye tests and some glasses.
If your application for asylum fails and you are waiting departure from the UK, only treatment for emergencies and treatment that was started before your refusal will continue to be provided free of charge. This means that if you are seeking asylum and think you could have HIV, it may be in your best interests to have an HIV test before the asylum decision is made. If the test comes back positive you will still be entitled to free treatment and have access to a specialist clinic while you are in the UK.
Those refused asylum are not generally entitled to free hospital treatment though they can still use GP services for free. However, hospital treatment to save life or prevent a condition from becoming life threatening (such as HIV treatment) should always be provided whether or not someone can afford to pay for it. If you are given a bill for treatment and can not afford to pay it talk to THT Direct who can help you explain this to the hospital. Do not ignore the bill, or the hospital will send bailiffs to collect it. If you cannot pay, they should not stop treatment for HIV.
For more information on access to the NHS for asylum seekers ask your support worker if you have one or call:
