HEALTH chiefs and campaigners have backed new rules which could require NHS patients to show their passports before receiving treatment.

A new charging system for non-European visitors has been introduced in England, in a bid to tackle ‘health tourism’.

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All patients will be asked questions about their residence status in the UK whenever accessing a new course of treatment, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

If there is uncertainty about their residence status, they may be required to submit documentation, including passports and immigration documents.

But no one will be denied urgent treatment while charges are being determined, and treatment in A&E departments and GP surgeries will remain free for all.

It is hoped the plans will help recoup up to £500 million a year by 2017/18.

Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group, said: “This is what patients have wanted for some considerable time now. If we travel abroad we’re expected to have health insurance, so I’d say this is long overdue.

“The problem could come with policing it, because a lot of people in East Lancashire won’t have a passport, and we don’t want doctors and nurses spending time on checking people’s status. So it has to be managed carefully, and perhaps everyone could be given an NHS card.”

Anyone from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) coming to the UK for longer than six months is now required to pay a ‘health surcharge’ as part of their visa application, while short-term visitors from outside Europe will be charged 150 per cent of the cost of treatment.

Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health at Lancashire County Council, said: “I welcome these rules and I strongly feel that people should have health insurance before visiting this country.”