Health Tourism - woman has 5 babies on the NHS

[BlimmingCheek]

AIBU to think that this woman is taking the bloody piss?

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3673011/Nigerian-mum-Bimbo-Ayelabola-flew-into-Britain-and-had-quins-on-the-NHS.html

I very much doubt she will be sent back. Who is paying her legal fees is what I would like to know?

Are we a soft touch or just a lovely compassionate country with enough resources for all?

It's been such a problem local GPs have signs up and require certain proof before you can register as a patient. It's a big NHS issue.

Obviously NHS has limited resources and nobody should be flying in to have their children in the UK if they don't live there. The fact that she's black is going to make some people pause nervously I guess.

The article is presented to stir up 'omg that is outrageous' kind of feelings, the article is low brow and trashy,,,, but that doesn't mean that the nhs shouldn't be trying to look at ways of preventing this happening.

But women lying about how pregnant they are to get access to our health service is health tourism isnt it?

And it affected you and your uncle how, Rocky 12?
Did your taxes suddenly go up? Or your council tax?
IMO the majority of immigrants/people Like Bimbo come here for a better life.
Yes, some will play the system, just as some people on benefits will. But imo most immigrants pay into the system and work bloody hard on minimum wage.
But yes, they're all out to trick us aren't they?
Anyway, that wasn't the question I asked. It was about personal experience, not your uncles.

Even his Uncle didn't have a health tourism tale. So that's still no one.

Honestly - you asked for examples from someone right on the front line - whose job it was to check whether you are allowed into the country day in day out. Who is probably far better qualified than anyone on this thread to comment and you say its not a good example. What else do you want?? we are talking about a women who has an objective to take as much as she can - it isnt personally taken from my wage packet but we are all paying. From the waiting times to get a GP's appointment, from the fact that some schools dont have English as a first language. And my mother is an immigrant. Came over in the 50's when the UK were crying out for teachers. She came because she could offer something, not because she could scam the system.

'Blithely waving it off as "inadequate provision" means, I take it, that you presume, that you think expensive neonatal care should be planned with the expectation that women will show up from abroad heavily pregnant and be treated for free? How much tax, exactly, do you want to pay?'

The NHS is understaffed and underfunded and near miss situations when it comes to maternity are frequent. because unlike other medical issues, most childbirth can't be scheduled. Despite the nature of childbirth, the NHS has failed to have anesthestists, enough midwives, enough of almost anything at certain times of the year. Same in Dublin. The best advice I could give anyone planning a baby in Ireland is to make sure the baby will be born in winter, when the nurses will have time to take care of you and the baby afterwards and the baby will be sure of getting whatever special care he/she needs.

Maternity services are characterised by appalling mismanagement.

No.........she asked

Does anyone on this thread know, actually know, personally, anyone that has or is a health tourist?

Not the same thing.

You want a example. Women came into Immgration. My Uncle wasnt happy with her story.. He left the room and suddenly the buzzer went - this lady was in labour. Immigration found out later she had lied about how pregnant she was to get on a plane. She didnt like the health care in India and came here on the assumption that if her child was born her she was allowed to stay!

Hmm Catgirl you want us to name someone who perhaps lives next door to us? Do you really think it doesnt happen?

No.

The question was:

Does anyone on this thread know, actually know, personally, anyone that has or is a health tourist?

Given a) you don't have first hand experience of the woman in your anecdote and

b) given she went into labour in the immigraiton office I imagine she didnt need a huge amount of health care

the example you gave does not answer the original question.

Agree about the mismanagement, we need to sort this out. However that doesnt mean we should address all the other issues as well. It doesnt mean that anyone who fancies coming to our country with ANY health issue is welcome, the more complex the better.

I hope one day you are not behind someone in the queue for A&E who has blagged and lied their way into our country and you end up having the door slammed in your face. Or God forbid - you are behind someone waiting for a kidney transplant and they only have one....

I'm kind off in the minority on this thread (apart from catgirl).
So I'm giving up even trying to argue.
I like mumsnet because it's usually a lot bigger and kinder than this, but I seem to have accidentally got in with the BNP.
So, for the second time, I'm out of here.

Its nothing to do with race at all - I am mixed race myself but honestly we cannot carry on like this.

I'm off too. Just didn't know this level of ignorance was so prevelant. Guess I am lucky not to come across it IRL. Saddened by it.

What if you were pregnant, had a baby which required neonatal care, only to find out that there were no cots available as some Nigerian health tourist had used those cots for her babies ....

Don't be blind to think this does not happen.

So many people on here don't seem to see things in the longer term. We have an increasing problem with immigration but as soon as someone tries to discuss it, the BNP/racism nonsense is spouted. I doubt that a woman with 5 children and no-one to support her is going to be a great asset to this country. We have enough people here as it is that can't support themselves.

Why are others ignorant? If it doesnt happen we have nothing to concern ourselves with, if it does we need to address. Are you really saying anyone and everyone can use the NHS as they see fit on a worldwide basis?

Hammy - spot on.

Hammy - I agree, it has nothing to do with race at all, it has to do with expecting something for nothing. Of course those who think that we dont pay enough, that there should be enough for everyone - well the Treasury would I expect be delighted to take your cheques. No - didnt think so....

My goodness its not about race, its about taking the mickey out of the health system so UK citizens loose out. Some of you think that the government are loaded with money, my dh is a higher rate tax payer, though not that high just on the threshold and he is taxed through the hilt. If this keeps happening taxes will have to go up. Its got nothing to do with being kind, but keeping out those who come here from abroad, whatever country it may be, deliberately to take advantage of the NHS. This is why this government is in debt, we cannot afford to keep giving to everyone, something has to give and that is services to UK citizens and cutting them down.

be realistic not idealistic

So cat and ladybeagle why don't you volunteer to increase the tax you pay so you can be kind enough to pay for the health tourists then!