Failed asylum seekers not entitled to NHS treatment

The appeal court ruled yesterday that failed asylum seekers with chronic illnesses were not entitled to free health care on the NHS even if they are unable to return to their homeland, although the ruling judges said that hospitals have the discretion to provide free treatment to individuals if they cannot afford to pay. The judgment determined that to receive free NHS treatment the patient must have resided lawfully in the UK for at least a year. The judges called for the process of choosing which patients who do not have to pay to be clarified by the government.