At ex pat neighbour and NHS use

[woolythoughts]

Neighbour emigrated to Thailand about 30 years ago. We kept in touch with him over the years. Whilst his mother was still alive, they came back twice a year and made sure that they did opticians and various other routine things whilst here.

He now rents his mothers old house out to tenants.

He’s now been diagnosed with cancer and is currently making travel arrangements to return to the UK, evict his tenants and get cancer treatment on the NHS as decent treatment is too expensive for him to pay for where he is.

He’s paid nothing into the country for the last 30 years so how can it be right he’s able to do this?

And before anyone asks, yes I am 100% sure of my facts.

He should be paying UK tax on the rental income he gets from the house.

If you are moving abroad on a permanent basis, you will no longer automatically be entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. You'll have to notify your GP so that you and your family can be removed from the NHS register.

😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

I bet he moans about “immigrants abusing our NHS” I hate fair weather English.

As far as I understand it, if someone comes to the UK and has a right to be here and intends to stay for a certain amount of time, then yes they can use the NHS.

So it sounds like he is eligible to do so.

My info might be outdated, but my dad was an expat and worked away while I was growing up. He was in the country around 60 days a year so paid no tax here.

For him to be eligible for the NHS, he had to be resident here for 6 months after returning home. That might be old info now but he probably isn't entitled. If you know which GP he is registered with, then you could send them a letter. But are you sure he hasn't been paying tax on the income from renting out the house?

He’s in the system, presumably paying tax on the rental income and has a UK address. I imagine in his situation we’d mostly all do the same.

I can get more vexed about plenty of other stuff tbh.

Depending on where he is officially resident he might be paying UK tax on his pension and the rental income.

so what, everybody would do the same. Some people tried to close the borders to non-national with Brexit, but they can't close them to nationals. He will just have to re-register and officially live here, but why shouldn't he?

He'll be classed as ordinarily resident when he arrives, if he's still a British citizen. That's why.

I don't think it has anything to do with whether or not he pays tax. It's all to do with residency and whether he intends to stay.

Doesn't have to wait till 6 months (or whatever the number of months is now) before he can start using the service. Does have to intend to stay for the requisite time.

I know for a fact he hasn't been paying tax on the income as its in a relatively low rental area and doesn't reach the tax thresh hold or NI thresh hold.

His "income" he's earned in Thailand is pretty much all undeclared.

He's basically kept registered at his GP's surgery at his ex mothers house which I think is how he's managed to exploit the loop hole.

I just don't think he should be entitled to it.

He's also very very vocal on brexit and other matters that have nothing to do with him since he doesn't bloody live here and admits he has no intention of ever coming back permanently.

Do you know if he makes a tax return based on his rental income ?

Does it really annoy you that someone with cancer is going to use what options are open to them to get treatment?

"so what, everybody would do the same. Some people tried to close the borders to non-national with Brexit, but they can't close them to nationals. He will just have to re-register and officially live here, but why shouldn't he?"

Because he's getting something without contributing anything to it! If everyone did this there'd be no funds at all for the NHS.

I’d rather we were lenient to everyone, or at least gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Yes he’s cheeky, worse than cheeky but I don’t like the race to the bottom.

A fifty something windrush child was left stranded AND with questions over his cancer treatment last year. I’d rather everyone got what they need.

Do you have access to his tax records as well so yeah?

He’s probably paying tax on his rental income. I couldn’t be bothered getting worked up about this. He may even have a few properties and be paying a substantial amount of tax. Are you certain you know all about his affairs?

Vile. I wouldn’t be making any comments on a person wishing to get cancer treatment. Be thankful you’re not ill.

And what is your opinion on people who move to this country (yes health tourism is a reality in this country) having never paid a penny in being able to benefit from free NHS care? Do you have a problem with that? Presumably your neighbour paid his taxes for many years thus paying into the system - which is more than can be said for many benefactors of the NHS...

As per attached Age UK guide assuming he is coming to settle in the Uk he is immediately eligible.

But yes it does feel pretty galling that he has not paid in and now has his hand out for the taxpayer to find his expensive treatment.

YEs, I do resent the cheeky fucker despite him having cancer. I feel sorry for him but if he chose to move to a foreign country 30 years ago, he should make his bed and lie in it there not come back and pick and choose our resources when it suits.

Because he's getting something without contributing anything to it!

If that’s honestly your objection, then presumably you’re against asylum seekers getting vital medical care too?

Ok. On your update, I can maybe see your point. It would be quite irritating.

Even if he wasn't registered with a GP while away, he could register as soon as he comes back. When you register with a GP you have to declare that you'll be in the area for a certain number of months.

So it's not a loophole he's exploiting, it's just the way the system is.

YEs, I do resent the cheeky fucker despite him having cancer. I feel sorry for him but if he chose to move to a foreign country 30 years ago, he should make his bed and lie in it there not come back and pick and choose our resources when it suits.

Wow that’s seriously harsh.

"If that’s honestly your objection, then presumably you’re against asylum seekers getting vital medical care too?"

Not if they are genuine asylum seekers no - economic migrant swhich most of them are, yes I do.