Health tourism 'chaos' costing NHS millions every year, MPs say

The NHS is missing out on millions of pounds a year because of a "chaotic" system for recovering cash from overseas patients, MPs have warned.

In a report, MPs from the Commons Public Accounts Committee said they were "not confident" the Department of Health is taking the required steps to recover money from people who leave the NHS with unpaid bills after treatment.

The committee warned the NHS was failing to identify patients who should be charged and said the Government was not recouping enough money from European countries where reciprocal agreements are in place.

In 2014/15, the UK recovered just £50m from these countries but paid out £675m.