Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will lay official guidance regarding access to primary health services for overseas visitors before Parliament for approval. [125321]

Anna Soubry, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Health: The Department has no plans to produce new guidance on access to national health service primary medical services for overseas visitors. The Department has been undertaking a thorough review of entitlement for overseas visitors to NHS care. The initial phase of the review has concluded and its findings are being considered. If changes were to be made to the current entitlement for overseas visitors to be able to access NHS primary medical services, it would require primary legislation and be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Should other changes be proposed for overseas visitors receiving primary medical services provided by the NHS, this would form part of a wider public consultation on NHS treatment of overseas patients.

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