BMA criticises new migrant charging proposals

The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued a stern rebuke over the government's plans for an extended charging system for migrants and short-term visitors attempting to access healthcare in the UK.

Responding to recent government consultations on the matter, the BMA has suggested there is no evidence that the income this scheme would generate would offset the cost of the bureaucracy necessary to operate it.

It also raised concerns that the move would increase the administrative burden on GP services, deter skilled migrants from visiting the UK, hinder the detection of communicable diseases and make overseas patients reluctant to seek help for serious problems.

As such, the proposals were condemned as being "impractical, uneconomic and inefficient".

Dr Mark Porter, chair of the BMA Council, said: "The government needs to rethink its entire approach to this issue, as in their current form these proposals are unworkable and potentially damaging to the NHS."

This comes after the organisation recently criticised the government's austerity measures for doing significant damage to the quality of NHS care.