PATIENTS NOT PASSPORTS: Migrants Access to Healthcare During the Coronavirus Crisis | June 2020 Ultimately the practice and perceptions of NHS charging and data-sharing, and the resultant denial of care, is leading people to delay seeking care, avoid it all together or seek informal support and medical advice. [clients are seeking care] informally through the local community, i.e. nurses and other health professionals who have status are known to be providing medical care and assistance on an ad hoc basis.” This is causing serious and long-lasting health consequences. One man we supported had previously been homeless and his asylum claim had been refused. He had diabetes and did not know, he did not think he could go to the doctors as he did not have status. Because he did not receive treatment, he went blind for 6 months.” One [client] had a miscarriage and had not seen any doctor because she had no immigration document. She is scared she will be taken away.” 1.1 Fear of charging and data sharing Those who do not have status are fearful of approaching health services for treatment as they either fear an NHS debt which could be an impediment to any future applications, or they also fear coming to the adverse attention of the authorities.” Charges for NHS care feature heavily in many of the survey responses. The fear of accruing large and unpayable debt is stopping people seeking care, even in circumstances where there is a clear clinical need. This is especially true for people without the means to pay, or those who fear that the presence of NHS debt will affect their application for leave to remain. Where people have been able to access care, and subsequently discover that they are chargeable, or when the treatment becomes too costly, respondents see people “cancelling hospital operation[s] for fear of being chased for money afterwards” or withdrawing from treatment. Respondents cite a range of negative charging experiences from those they support, with the administration of charging a significant source of concern. One respondent illustrates this with the story of “a woman [who] was visited by [a] Home Office official whilst in her bed”. Such experiences, combined with the potential to accrue further debts, act as a significant barrier to seeking more care in the future. The following is a selection of quotes from respondents highlighting the deterrent effects of charging. 10