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<p>Entitlement to free National Health Service care is largely based on being ordinarily
resident in the United Kingdom. Being ordinarily resident means, broadly, living here
on a lawful and properly settled basis as part of the regular order of his or her
life for the time being, with non-European Economic Area nationals subject to immigration
control also required to have an immigration status of indefinite leave to remain.</p><p>
</p><p>Under the Charging Regulations, there is no reason why a person of no fixed
abode cannot pass the ordinarily resident test, if they meet the ordinary residence
criteria and are therefore exempt from charges. In determining whether charges are
to be made under the Charging Regulations, service providers must make such enquiries
as are reasonable in all the circumstances. We expect providers to consider the fact
that in some circumstances it will be particularly difficult for a person with no
fixed abode to provide documentary evidence of their ordinary residence status.</p><p>
</p><p>The NHS will always provide immediately necessary care, including maternity
care, to any patient, regardless of their status in relation to the Charging Regulations.</p><p>
</p><p>NHS England has produced guidance for general practices clarifying rights of
patients and responsibilities of providers when patient register with a general practitioner.
Some services continue to remain free to all regardless of residency status, which
currently includes primary medical services, the diagnosis and treatment of infectious
diseases and accident and emergency services. Also, some groups of particularly vulnerable
overseas visitors remain exempt from charge for all their treatment, including refugees
and persons granted asylum, failed asylum seekers receiving specified packages of
state support, victims of modern slavery, including human trafficking, and children
looked after by a local authority. These exemptions continue to ensure that the most
vulnerable in our society can access free healthcare whenever they need it.</p>
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