Thai girlfriend to give birth in the UK.

[milicano007]

My Thai girlfriend will be joining me soon in the UK. I'm British, I was born in the UK as were my parents, grandparents etc...

This will be our second child together, the first having been born in Thailand. It will be my girlfriends first visit to the UK.

My question is will I have to pay for my girlfriends hospital appointments and treatment prior to the birth and also for the delivery and birth of my child?

[Walter Travolta]

There are times when flying whilst pregnant are dangerous, up to 16 weeks there is a higher chance of miscarriage and after 32-36 weeks the airlines may not let you travel so depending on how far she is into her pregnancy will tell you if she is safe or not.

I think the UK govt have been looking at charging for this if the child was not conceived in the UK but how far they have gone with it I am not sure. If they think you are swinging the lead by wanting your child to be born in the UK so it has a British passport will be frowned upon but if the law says you still can, then good luck. see link from 2010 below but things may have changed since then

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/398706-thai-girlfriend-is-pregnant-and-i-want-baby-born-in-england/

[GuestHouse]

What is the basis of her visa?

If she is joining you on a visit visa it will clearly state 'No Recourse to Public Funds', she will not, as a tourist, have the right to free use of the NHS.

[Aussieroaming]

Correct..if she is on a tourist visa then she is entitled to zip..I'm British but I have never lived there. Likewise I'm entitled for Sweet FA. Fair enough too.

[cumgranosalum]

NHS -

THis is about charging "visitors" etc....not as straightforward as some might think....you may have to sign some forms before arriving in the UK.......

http://www.maternityaction.org.uk/wp/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/3-women-from-abroad/entitlement-to-free-nhs-maternity-care-for-women-from-abroad/

"Who is entitled to free NHS maternity care?

NHS maternity care is provided free of charge to women who are;

considered to be ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, or

EEA nationals who are insured by another European state, or

exempt from charges (including people who have paid the health surcharge).

If you do not fall into any of these groups you may be asked to pay for your care, but you cannot be refused care if you cannot pay at the time you receive care. It is very important for your health and your baby’s health that you attend for maternity care even if you are unable to pay.

Maternity care includes all antenatal, birth and post-natal care.

The NHS charging regulations outlined in this information sheet apply to NHS hospital care. If you are using community maternity services, you should check whether these services are provided (and funded) by a hospital. If they are, the charging regulations will still apply.

If you are uncertain about your immigration status, you should seek specialist immigration advice – see organisations listed at the end of this information sheet."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-overseas-visitors-hospital-charging-regulations

You have to be "normally resident" - this is not based on nationality etc etc......

Citizens advice

"If you are not entitled to receive free NHS hospital treatment you will not be refused medical treatment that stabilises a life-threatening condition, for example, for renal failure. Treatment will be given to deal with the emergency, but you will be expected to return home for it to be completed, once the emergency is over.

If there is not an emergency, but treatment has to start immediately, you may be asked to give an undertaking to pay. In these circumstances, it is very important that you find out the likely cost.

If it is not urgent, you will be given the opportunity to refuse the treatment if you cannot afford it. Treatment can be delayed until you can raise the money. If you cannot do so, treatment will be refused."

"To find out which non EEA countries have a healthcare agreement with the UK, go to www.nhs.org.uk"

Treatment in A&E departments and at GP surgeries will remain free for all.

Get at few myths out of the way.........

https://nomoregames.org.uk/nhs-mythbuster-separating-fact-from-fiction/

Edited August 23, 2015 by cumgranosalum

[cumgranosalum]

Maternity Action......

Do NHS maternity services have the discretion to refuse to provide maternity care?

No. All maternity care is classed as ‘immediately necessary treatment’ and must not be refused for any reason. Maternity care includes all antenatal, birth and post-natal care.

Even if you are unable to pay for services at the time of treatment, you must receive maternity care. You should ask to speak to the Overseas Visitors Manager at the hospital to explain your circumstances and discuss future payment options (e.g. whether charges can be waived or to agree a repayment plan) – see below.

If you are refused maternity care you should contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service at your hospital or seek further advice from the organisations listed below.

The National Tariff Payment System provides prices and rules for NHS providers; you can find more information about how charges are broken down in Chapter 13 of the NHS Charging guidance.

Maternity care is divided into antenatal care, birth and postnatal care; approximate charges for these services (based on 150% of the National Tariff) are:

• Antenatal care £1590-£4233,
• Birth £2244-£3282 (plus additional payments if you need a long stay in hospital),
• Postnatal care £355.50-£1207.50

The amount you are charged could be more or less than these amounts. For more information, the latest National Tariff can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-tariff-payment-system-2014-to-2015. Annex 4B and 5A provide some guidance on tariffs for maternity car

the guardian......

A Home Office spokesman said no woman should be denied access to maternity care as a result of their immigration status.

France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal have some charges for healthcare for migrants but, unlike the UK, do not charge pregnant women for antenatal care or childbirth.

Edited August 23, 2015 by cumgranosalum

[MaeJoMTB]

If they think you are swinging the lead by wanting your child to be born in the UK so it has a British passport will be frowned upon but if the law says you still can, then good luck. see link from 2010 below but things may have changed since then

If dad is British, his child will be British and entitled to a British passport wherever born.

Only difference is, kid born in UK is British by birth, kid born outside the UK is British by descent.

But that wasn't what the OP asked.

I suspect the answer is, a bill will be presented.

Good news is, she can probably return to Thailand leaving the bill unpaid.

Loads of foreigners do this.

[cumgranosalum]

It would slso appear the woman is a along-term partner.....this being the second child.

You might want to lookinto what kind of visa is most appropriate for your g/f.

[sandyf]

About 10 years ago a friend of mine took his girlfriend to the UK to get married. She was pregnant and gave birth a couple of weeks before the wedding. Following the birth he was presented with a substantial bill from the NHS. A good lawyer made the bill go away but that did not come cheap.

[cumgranosalum]

About 10 years ago a friend of mine took his girlfriend to the UK to get married. She was pregnant and gave birth a couple of weeks before the wedding. Following the birth he was presented with a substantial bill from the NHS. A good lawyer made the bill go away but that did not come cheap.

...but 10 years ago it would have been less than this?

• Antenatal care £1590-£4233,
• Birth £2244-£3282 (plus additional payments if you need a long stay in hospital),
• Postnatal care £355.50-£1207.50

[cumgranosalum]

The other thing to bear in mind is the quality of the care available - it the UK it will be substantially better.

i've witnessed some alarming tendencies in Thailand at all 3 stages.

What kind of anti and post-natal did you g/f get in Thailand last time?

Did they perform a caesarian by any chance???

[MrTee]

"My question is will I have to pay for my girlfriends hospital appointments and treatment prior to the birth and also for the delivery and birth of my child?"

I certainly hope so!

[oxo1947]

Snow-----------------------the only thing that settles in Britain & doesn't get benefits................

[MaeJoMTB]

The other thing to bear in mind is the quality of the care available - it the UK it will be substantially better.

i've witnessed some alarming tendencies in Thailand at all 3 stages.

What kind of anti and post-natal did you g/f get in Thailand last time?

Did they perform a caesarian by any chance???

I've had children in,

Redhill NHS Hospital, Redhill (c-section and natural)

John Radcliffe NHS Hospital Oxford (c-section and natural)

Nakorn Ping Thai Government Hospital, Chiang Mai. (natural)

Redhill .... barely competent, understaffed, almost killed the mother with the c-section.

John Radcliffe .... did a great job, but a bit dirty, parking difficult and expensive.

Nakorn Ping .... by far the best, best prenatal and post natal I have ever experienced, including very careful prebirth screening, and home visits after the birth, plenty of nurses, very caring.

Was actually gob smacked about how good the Thai government hospital was, after reading all the stories posted on this forum.

[Walter Travolta]

If they think you are swinging the lead by wanting your child to be born in the UK so it has a British passport will be frowned upon but if the law says you still can, then good luck. see link from 2010 below but things may have changed since then

If dad is British, his child will be British and entitled to a British passport wherever born.

Only difference is, kid born in UK is British by birth, kid born outside the UK is British by descent.

But that wasn't what the OP asked.

I suspect the answer is, a bill will be presented.

Good news is, she can probably return to Thailand leaving the bill unpaid.

Loads of foreigners do this.

I am going to look like I am arguing with myself once this comment is finished but . .

1) If the family are only going to UK for better medical care then maybe they should be charged. The family live in Thailand and scuttle across to the UK and as soon as the newborn is OK to fly, they return to LOS then yes they are using the NHS. If the child is born in LOS and is still entitled to a British passport due to the father being British then it is blatantly obvious they are wanting better medical care for free.

2) If the father is entitled to free medical care due to the fact that he is British, then maybe there is no argument. It seems a little harsh to make them pay just because he has fallen in love/married/decided to have a family with a non Brit

[cumgranosalum]

The other thing to bear in mind is the quality of the care available - it the UK it will be substantially better.

i've witnessed some alarming tendencies in Thailand at all 3 stages.

What kind of anti and post-natal did you g/f get in Thailand last time?

Did they perform a caesarian by any chance???

I've had children in,

Redhill NHS Hospital, Redhill (c-section and natural)

John Radcliffe NHS Hospital Oxford (c-section and natural)

Nakorn Ping Thai Government Hospital, Chiang Mai. (natural)

Redhill .... barely competent, understaffed, almost killed the mother with the c-section.

John Radcliffe .... did a great job, but a bit dirty, parking difficult and expensive.

Nakorn Ping .... by far the best, best prenatal and post natal I have ever experienced, including very careful prebirth screening, and home visits after the birth, plenty of nurses, very caring.

Was actually gob smacked about how good the Thai government hospital was, after reading all the stories posted on this forum.

The plural of anecdote is not data.

a more reliable view is offered by the stats here...

Infant mortality ........

Thailand 12 to 11 per 1000

UK - 4....that's 1/3 of the Thai death rate.

Edited August 23, 2015 by cumgranosalum

[MaeJoMTB]

^^

Infant mortality rates include deaths of children up to 1 year old.

Not sure much of that first year is spent in hospitals.

More likely parent negligence.

Problem with all the Thai bashers.......... they want Thailand to be a bad place.

If you don't like it go home.

[cumgranosalum]

^^

Infant mortality rates include deaths of children up to 1 year old.

Not sure much of that first year is spent in hospitals.

More likely parent negligence.

Problem with all the Thai bashers.......... they want Thailand to be a bad place.

If you don't like it go home.

It's called post natal care....and its WITHIN the first year, not AFTER 1 year

Now let me see if this is what you are saying, someone who points out that infant mortality is high in Thailand is a "Thai-basher" whereas someone who says that Thai parents are negligent isn't?

...and as for the most pathetic cliche of all time "if you don't like it go home" really? You think that is a valid argument?

[Jip99]

The other thing to bear in mind is the quality of the care available - it the UK it will be substantially better.

i've witnessed some alarming tendencies in Thailand at all 3 stages.

What kind of anti and post-natal did you g/f get in Thailand last time?

Did they perform a caesarian by any chance???

I've had children in,

Redhill NHS Hospital, Redhill (c-section and natural)

John Radcliffe NHS Hospital Oxford (c-section and natural)

Nakorn Ping Thai Government Hospital, Chiang Mai. (natural)

Redhill .... barely competent, understaffed, almost killed the mother with the c-section.

John Radcliffe .... did a great job, but a bit dirty, parking difficult and expensive.

Nakorn Ping .... by far the best, best prenatal and post natal I have ever experienced, including very careful prebirth screening, and home visits after the birth, plenty of nurses, very caring.

Was actually gob smacked about how good the Thai government hospital was, after reading all the stories posted on this forum.

In Makorn Ping, did they shave you ?

(a friends wife was shaved in the boonies with their first child so no2 and no 3 were born in England)

[fish fingers]

If applying for a settlement visa the NHS charge would be around £600 as part of the application. I have not applied for one yet with the wife (we are doing a visitors visa application) so I may be corrected on this.