Dear [Name]

[Reference]

As a visitor to the United Kingdom, you may need to pay for your NHS maternity treatment received at Surgery/Hospital on [enter date]. Any payment goes towards the cost of the NHS doctors and nurses who provide your care.

The hospital requires evidence to determine if you are entitled to free NHS treatment. It is in your best interest to provide us with documents that show to us that you are entitled to free NHS treatment, otherwise you may be charged. 

If you do not consider yourself a visitor to the UK and you think you should be classed as ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK then we will need to see evidence of your nationality, e.g. your passport, or that you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. We will also need to see evidence that you currently live in the UK on a properly settled basis, such as a recent utility bill in your name at your address in the UK. Alternatively, you may consider that an exemption from the charge category applies to you. If so, please bring evidence that you are exempt from charge with you as this will help us establish your eligibility. 

If you cannot provide the documents mentioned, please arrange to speak to me so that we can discuss your options.

If you are assessed as being chargeable for your NHS care, but are unable to pay in advance, then, because maternity services are so important to protect the health of you and your unborn baby, your treatment will still be provided to you without delay and will not be withheld. The hospital will seek to recover costs once you have received treatment. If you do not have the funds to pay the invoice immediately, we will discuss a repayment plan with you to allow you to pay back the cost of your treatment over a longer period of time. 

You should be aware that if you do not pay, or do not adhere to an agreed repayment plan, any future immigration applications you make to enter or remain in the UK may be denied by the Home Office until the debt has been paid. 

Please contact me on  (00000) 000 000 should you have any queries or would like to discuss payment options. 

Yours sincerely,

[Author’s name]
[Position/title]