London hospitals have written off over £112 million in unpaid treatment bills from overseas patients between 2018 and 2023, according to figures obtained by the BBC. Under NHS regulations, hospital trusts in England must charge non-residents for non-urgent treatment, but recovering costs remains a challenge.

The BBC surveyed all 32 of London’s acute hospital trusts, revealing that £223 million was invoiced over the five-year period. However, half of that amount was classified as bad debt and written off. Emergency and GP services remain free for everyone, but trusts are required to bill non-urgent treatments at 150% of standard NHS rates to cover administrative costs.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated that NHS trusts are expected to recover charges whenever possible. However, critics argue that the system is both unfair and ineffective, often leaving trusts unable to collect from patients who leave the UK or face financial difficulties.

Barts Health, serving east London, reported the highest write-off at £35 million. A spokesperson for the trust acknowledged efforts to recover payments but noted that many patients lack the means to pay.

Exemptions exist for vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers and trafficking victims. While the policy aims to address “health tourism,” hospitals often struggle with the balance of recovering costs and providing care to those in need.