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Failed asylum seekers' free NHS Failed asylum seekers' free NHS
(20 minutes later)
Failed asylum seekers in Wales will now be given free health care - unlike their counterparts in England.Failed asylum seekers in Wales will now be given free health care - unlike their counterparts in England.
The Department of Health in England is taking legal action to restrict free access to the NHS to this group.The Department of Health in England is taking legal action to restrict free access to the NHS to this group.
Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart's spokesman said it was the mark of a civilised society but the Tax Payers' Alliance said it was open to abuse. Health Minister Edwina Hart said her decision was the right one and that the mark of a civilised society was how it treated the sick and dying.
The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) said it was "delighted" the vulnerable would be protected. The Tax Payers' Alliance said it was open to abuse but the Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) welcomed the move.
The WRC said it gave a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity.The WRC said it gave a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity.
Previously, the Welsh assembly had passed regulations to introduce charging for secondary healthcare for refused asylum seekers.Previously, the Welsh assembly had passed regulations to introduce charging for secondary healthcare for refused asylum seekers.
The regulations, which meant charges for all forms of secondary care, except treatment provided in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, were passed in April 2004.The regulations, which meant charges for all forms of secondary care, except treatment provided in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, were passed in April 2004.
The minister believes that the mark of a civilised society is the way in which it treats all of its people, particularly the sick and dying Welsh Assembly Government spokesman for Edwina Hart I'm simply looking at the human being at the end of the chain and saying if they've got severe health problems...as a civilised country we should give it Health Minister Edwina Hart
The latest decision by Ms Hart comes amid turmoil about the policy in England, where a test case in front of the High Court last month has left the position of failed asylum seekers and their access to the NHS uncertain.The latest decision by Ms Hart comes amid turmoil about the policy in England, where a test case in front of the High Court last month has left the position of failed asylum seekers and their access to the NHS uncertain.
Until then, free health care was cut off for all failed asylum seekers in England and Wales.Until then, free health care was cut off for all failed asylum seekers in England and Wales.
The Department of Health in England is currently appealing against the ruling in a test case, which said there were some circumstances in which failed asylum seekers could get free access to NHS treatment.The Department of Health in England is currently appealing against the ruling in a test case, which said there were some circumstances in which failed asylum seekers could get free access to NHS treatment.
Have your sayWe have welsh tax paying cancer patients who can't get the drugs they require due to "funding issues" and yet the assembly can find the money to fund people who are essentially illegally in our country. This is the assembly gone mad AGAINPaul, CardiffHave your sayWe have welsh tax paying cancer patients who can't get the drugs they require due to "funding issues" and yet the assembly can find the money to fund people who are essentially illegally in our country. This is the assembly gone mad AGAINPaul, Cardiff
An assembly government spokesman said: "The minister believes that the mark of a civilised society is the way in which it treats all of its people, particularly the sick and dying. Ms Hart told BBC Radio Wales that it was up to the UK government how it monitored asylum seekers, but she believed offering failed asylum seekers free NHS treatment and putting it on a legitimate footing was the "right thing to do".
"She has also discussed this matter with church leaders in Wales. She used the comparison of the parable of the Good Samaritan.
"This is why she intends to make changes to the legislation to allow failed asylum seekers to receive NHS treatment free of charge because she believes it is the right thing to do. "No-one would want to see a pregnant woman turned away from hospital if they were having difficulty with the pregnancy and people are fundamentally decent and they will understand this argument," said the minister.
"She has therefore asked officials to draw up a timetable for making these proposed changes." "I'm simply looking at the human being at the end of the chain and saying if they've got severe health problems and they require help and assistance, as a civilised country we should give it."
Anna Nicholl, director of policy for the Welsh Refugee Council said: "This gives a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity and will be applauded by the wide coalition of groups who have been campaigning for these changes."Anna Nicholl, director of policy for the Welsh Refugee Council said: "This gives a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity and will be applauded by the wide coalition of groups who have been campaigning for these changes."
But Matthew Sinclair, a policy analyst with the Tax Payers Alliance said the new policy could be open to abuse. But Matthew Sinclair, a policy analyst with the Tax Payers' Alliance said the new policy could be open to abuse.
"What we have got to ask is if we set up a system whereby someone can come to Britain, claim asylum, fail then receive treatment - this sets up a massive incentive for people to try and come here," he said."What we have got to ask is if we set up a system whereby someone can come to Britain, claim asylum, fail then receive treatment - this sets up a massive incentive for people to try and come here," he said.
"The easiest thing is to come here, destroy their documents in transit so that they cannot be sent back and this creates a massive potential for abuse.""The easiest thing is to come here, destroy their documents in transit so that they cannot be sent back and this creates a massive potential for abuse."