medical costs of an emergency operation by NHS

[evagul]

Hi all
My mum is visiting us and is on family visit visa and few days back she suffered some serious injuries in a road accident. Post which she was rushed to nearby hospital and was operated upon. she was finally discharged after 10 days. They didnt ask us to pay for medical bills. But can we expect to be asked by NHS to pay for the costs. Is there any appeal or anything , that can be done in case they do since the bill may run in thousands and this was an accident.

[krazydude]

Emergency procedures are done free of cost by the NHS.

If however you are still unsure about any costs that might hit you at a future date, call the hospital where she was treated and ask them if you owe them anything. This is just so that you have peace of mind.

[PaperPusher]

I hope your mother is better soon. If there is a bill, perhaps see a solicitor about claiming from the driver's insurance company. If she has her own travel insurance speak to her insurer.

But, I seriously doubt that the NHS would waive a bill because it was an accident, why should they? That is the point of charging overseas visitors, even lifesaving treatment can be charged for once the person is out of A&E.

Emergency treatment is not free.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Enti ... /DH_074379

What do I have to pay for?
You will have to pay the full cost of all the treatment you receive, including emergency treatment, given by staff at a hospital or by staff employed by a hospital. However, there are some services that are free of charge to everyone:

Treatment given only in an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department or in a NHS Walk-in Centre providing services similar to those of an A&E department (excludes emergency treatment given elsewhere in the hospital);

[vinny]

See also Services exempted from charges (soon to be updated).

Did she have travel insurance?