Entitlement to free NHS maternity care. Need advice.

[keepmymoments]

Hi


I’m wondering of someone of you had the same problem?
Last 12 months I didn’t live in UK. Now I’m 15 weeks pregnant. I booked my appointments with the midwife and for the first ultrasound scan. After few days I get a letter from the hospital, which says that I am not entitled to free NHS health care as the last 12 months I wasn’t here, in UK. They also said I have to pay the first bill 3.000£ before attend to a maternity care.

What should I do now? I’m working just since 2 weeks. But as the hospital said it also doesn’t give me right to a free NHS care. I’m not able to pay 3.000£ right now!
Any advice?

 

[LoopyLouize]

I'm not sure to be honest. I suggest you call citizens advice or pop into your local job centre for advice.



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[keepmymoments]

I asked Citizen Advice Bureau but they didn't help. They just said I need to provide the evidence that I have lived here for the last 12 months. In other case I'm not entitled for a free maternity care.

 

[LoopyLouize]

Then I don't think there is anything you can do I'm afraid.


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[knopk@]

I am afraid you are not entitled if you are not a resident, its NHS making sure there ia.no health tourism as its very expensive
Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[mrz85]

not sure what u can do is 300 pounds for the whole of ur care x

 

[keepmymoments]

I didn't come here just to give a birth and go back to my country.
I came here with the hope of starting a new life here permanently. I'm working and I live in uk legally (I came from EEA country). Also I pay tax same everyone else.
Why then should I pay?

The amount of £3000 is just the first part. But nobody said how much will the whole maternity care cost.

What will happen if I won't pay and will attend to the maternity care?

 

[tinytoes]

Well in Ireland if you don't pay a hospital bill you will be taken to court and have your credit rating affected . I understand that your working and paying taxes but I think it's only fair that you should have to be in a country more than 12 months before its an entitlement , surely you wouldn't have paid that much taxes yet

 

[wifeywifey]

I can imagine they would arrange a payment plan with you, you admit yourself you have worked two weeks so it's unlikely you have yet made any contributions at all and how do they know your intentions are to stay, I'm sorry it must be an awful position to be in but the nhs doesn't have the money to just treat everyone who comes to the uk free

 

[Pudds86]

As the girls said they don't know your intentions to stay here and you haven't paid tax long.

Saying that some British born.mothers haven't paid tax in their lives either so not a fool proof argument.

Maybe call them and go through your options. We won't be much help here as not experts on this.

Tapatalking :-D Can't see tickers...

 

[knopk@]

Unfortunately there are rules and they are quite black and white. I have residency here so. I am entitled but if I didnt or if.it was earlier,.I would have to pay too. There are just certain criteria.
You might want to look on the interner for arrangement between your country and UK but sometimes it comes down to residency

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[Loula]

The hospital have a finance and legal team that gave you your bill id ring them.
I doubt theyd deny u care but theyd keep xhasing til thy get it x