Migration to the UK has significantly changed the nature of the HIV epidemic since many people have come from countries with high HIV prevalence. The immigration process is complex and raises a number of issues for people living with HIV.

NHS Treatment Charges

NAT thinks that HIV treatment and care should be exempt from NHS charges regardless of residency status.  It is clear that these regulations actually prevent vulnerable people, including pregnant women, from accessing the vital treatment they need because they cannot afford the charges. Often destitute many have been pursued aggressively by debt collectors for charges they cannot pay. Others who are in fact entitled to free treatment do not access it because of  confusion over the regulations.  Read our briefing on the need to amend charging regulations.

NAT responded to the 2010 Department of Health Review of Access to the NHS for Foreign Nationals and we strongly welcomed some of the changes to the charging Regulations which resulted from this, including that refused asylum seekers on Section 4 or Section 95 support should not be charged for NHS hospital treatment and that people whose immigration status changes partway through a course of treatment should not be charged for it.

A negative outcome of the review, however, was the decision to introduce new immigration restrictions for migrants who have an NHS debt of £1,000 or more.  Read our briefing on why these rules are disastrous for public health and discriminate against disabled migrants.

For information on who is affected by charging regulations, read the updated fact sheet we developed with THT, Will I have to pay?

The myth of HIV health tourism

Over the last few years, numerous allegations have been made about health tourism to the UK both in general and in relation to HIV. These claims have affected media and popular perception, as well as Government policy, particularly on entitlement to NHS care. But as our report clearly demonstrates there is no evidence that HIV health tourism to the UK exists. Migration has been one of the most seriously debated issues in UK politics recently. It is therefore vitally important to separate the facts and evidence around migration from the fears and misinformation.  Read our report The Myth of Health Tourism.

The Asylum Pathway

More people than ever before are living with HIV in the UK, and a significant number of asylum seekers are coming from high prevalence countries. NAT’s report HIV and the UK Asylum Pathway maps the journey of an asylum seeker in the UK and explains how the needs of HIV-positive asylum applicants can be supported throughout process.

The report is an ideal guide for professionals including community care nurses, GPs and civil servants, who support asylum seekers through the course of their work. 

Dispersal

The policy of dispersing asylum seekers across the UK has resulted in people living with HIV being moved at short notice without proper arrangements for continuity of care and treatment, causing serious ill health and possible drug resistance. 

Our advocacy on issue helped influence UK Border Agency procedures for dispersal of asylum seekers with healthcare needs.  We also worked with BHIVA, the British HIV Association, on advice for health care and voluntary sector professionals around The Dispersal Process for Asylum Seekers Living with HIV.

Detention and Removal

We have also worked with BHIVA to develop a resource that provides best practice guidance to support high-quality care for detainees living with HIV in IRCs.   This followed a survey of HIV care in immigration removal centres (IRCs) which found significant inconsitencies and gaps in provision.  Read the booklet Detention, Removal and People Living with HIV.

To share your thoughts and experiences on migration policy please contact policyandcampaigns@nat.org.uk