Thread by @DocsNotCops

On the 12th March we outlined our position that the Immigration Health Surcharge should be scrapped, not increased - read our statement at: docsnotcops.co.uk/scrap-the-immi… (1/THREAD) #ScrapTheSurcharge #PatientsNotPassports

This was the day after @RishiSunak announced that the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – paid at point of visa application/renewal would rise from £400/year to £624/year (disgustingly, as he announced Coronavirus measures)

2/Thread #ScrapTheSurcharge #PatientsNotPassports

On 12th March we said:
* #ScrapTheSurcharge in its entirety
* Charging for NHS access is about govt tearing up universal care, not raising money
* IHS is an additional tax on migrants
* The IHS is motivated by furthering xenophobic & racist narratives /3 #PatientsNotPassports

Today, 4th May, @ameliagentleman has written an article in @guardian about the Immigration Health Surcharge theguardian.com/society/2020/m…

She writes: "Pressure is mounting on the government from doctors, nurses and carers to #ScrapTheSurcharge" /4

Carl Perez (27), a nurse recruited 2 yrs ago from the Philippines, is quoted

"We are being penalised by having to pay this large sum out of our own pockets. We’re already paying for the NHS through our NI & tax... It doesn’t leave much left for accommodation and living costs” /5

Carl Perez - "working at a care home in the West Midlands where several residents have died from the illness" and currently isolating, also says

"It is not fair for us migrants to shoulder the burden of the extra funding for the NHS." /6 #ScrapTheSurcharge #PatientsNotPassports

As the article notes, the Surcharge was introduced in 2015 as part of the #HostileEnvironment (it's why Docs Not Cops formed back in 2014 irr.org.uk/news/immigrati… this sadly isn't mentioned in the article)

Since then, the cost of the IHS has risen 3 times. /7 #ScrapTheSurcharge

Susan Cueva, a trustee of @kanlunganuk Filipino Consortium said -because of wider #HostileEnvironment measures- many international healthcare workers are afraid of losing their jobs & being deported “they keep on working, knowing they are risking their lives”/8 #ScrapTheSurcharge

There are a number of campaigns around this.

On 16th March, @JCWI_UK @libertyhq @Medact, ourselves & many others signed a letter to Home Secretary @patel4witham-calling for urgent changes in light of #Covid19: jcwi.org.uk/protecting-mig… /9 #ScrapTheSurcharge #PatientsNotPassports

The letter calls on @patel4witham not only to ensure access to healthcare, but to ensure all migrants have access to vital public services by suspending 'No Recourse To Public Funds' (#NRPF) conditions - also mentioned in @ameliagentleman's article jcwi.org.uk/protecting-mig… /10

Another letter was sent by @DOTW_UK & other orgs representing healthcare professionals, refugees &migrants living in UK, calling on @patel4witham @MattHancock to:

Suspend the NHS Charging Regulations 2015 & 2017 + all associated ID checks/data sharing docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI… /11

There is also a petition, "Reduce or scrap the immigration health surcharge for overseas NHS Staff" (currently 5,000+ signatures) petition.parliament.uk/petitions/3019…

We wish to stress that our position is - and always has been - #ScrapTheSurcharge for *everyone* /12

We would also like to stress that this is about the right of all to access healthcare (#PatientsNotPassports), not an argument that the NHS/UK economy, relies on overseas workers

Neither @ameliagentleman's article nor the petition in previous tweet match our demands /13

Exemptions and tinkering aren't good enough.

Health and care workers don't just want the Immigration Health Surcharge scrapped for ourselves-the govt must #ScrapTheSurcharge for everyone!

And we're not the only people saying so

https://twitter.com/DocsNotCops/status/1251467242535112706

/14 #PatientsNotPassports

The World Health Organisation is clear: "It's vital that everyone, including all migrants & refugees have equal access to health services and are included in national responses to #COVID19, incl. prevention, testing & treatment"

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1245112185325531136

/15 #PatientsNotPassports

Get your MP to sign Early Day Motion 537:
* Suspend all NHS charging
* Ensure patient data will not be shared with Home Office
* Ensure NHS staff & public are aware of these changes & that it is safe to seek care edm.parliament.uk/early-day-moti… #ScrapTheSurcharge #PatientsNotPassports/16

Finally, stand with us as we demand access to health and care for all!

Sign up to our #DocsNotCops mailing list at: docsnotcops.co.uk/join/

Join the #PatientsNotPassports campaign via act.patientsnotpassports.co.uk

17/thread ends

oops we got the Early Day Motion number wrong in the thread above - it's EDM #357 edm.parliament.uk/early-day-moti… 18/thread