ANNEX B: EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE
It is the responsibility of the healthcare provider to ask for satisfactory documentation (see examples below) to determine a patient's liability to pay charges for NHS treatment.
Contract of Employment/Letter from Employer - Overseas visitors who are working in Scotland can be asked to provide evidence such as a contract of employment, a wage slip or a letter from their employer. Self-employed people can be asked to provide invoices/ receipts or an associated letter from their accountant/ solicitor.
Letters from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) - UKBA often issue documents confirming details of a person's right to stay in the UK. Examples of the types of letters issued by the UKBA include:
A letter confirming that a person has permanent leave to remain.
- A letter of temporary admission (IS96) for Asylum Seekers.
- An Application Registration Card (ARC).
- A Standard Acknowledgement Letter (SAL).
Either an IS96, ARC or SAL would be sufficient proof that an individual had made a formal claim for asylum.
Visas/Permits - Overseas visitors can also be asked to produce appropriate UKBA documentation to show that they are entitled to work, study or get married in the UK.
Marriage/Birth Certificates - Overseas visitors can be asked to produce appropriate certificates, such as marriage or birth certificates, to show those claiming exemption are the spouse, registered civil partner or dependent child of somebody who is exempt from NHS charges.
Passport - This can be requested to provide evidence of a person's nationality (a valid driving licence or state ID card can also be accepted) or to gather other important information from stamps within the passport. In particular, medical staff may wish to check whether somebody has a "no time limit" stamp or, in the case of Asylum Seekers, an Immigration Status Document, also known as a vignette. Passport stamps can also be used to establish how long a person has lawfully resided in the UK, and their right to remain.
Pension documentation - UK War/War Widows pensioners and UK State pensioners who live overseas can be asked to show a pension book or a letter from either the Ministry of Defence or Department for Work and Pensions as evidence.
Proof of Residence - Those taking up permanent residence may be asked to provide evidence in the form of rental or mortgage agreements, utility bills, pay slips, council tax documents, school registration documents, bill for shipping goods to the UK, one way tickets, letter from previous healthcare provider confirming their move to the UK etc.
Student ID/Letter from Education Facility - Those visiting Scotland for study purposes may be asked to provide satisfactory documentary evidence, such as a matriculation card or a letter from the University/College confirming attendance and the duration of the course.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - Those from other EEA countries, visiting Scotland for a short period of time (under 90 days) will be entitled to any treatment which is necessary during their trip upon production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If an EHIC cannot be produced then charges can be applied.
Documentation from Job Centre Plus or the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) - Those from other EEA countries who are seeking employment in Scotland should be asked to show satisfactory documentary evidence of this.