The Right to Healthcare

Published: 15/08/24

Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have developed an important resource that reaffirms the right to healthcare for individuals subject to the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) condition. This condition restricts access to many public funds, such as Universal Credit and Child Benefit, for people on work, family, and study visas in the UK.

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In Scotland, every person, including non-UK citizens, is entitled to access NHS services. This includes individuals with the NRPF condition. To help reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes, pharmacy teams can take practical steps to support these patients when they visit community pharmacies. 

For example, patients with the NRPF condition can access the NHS Pharmacy First (Scotland) Service for advice and support with common clinical conditions. Additionally, it is crucial to encourage patients to register with a GP practice, highlighting that ID and proof of address are not required for registration. 

Pharmacy teams should also encourage pregnant women to register with a midwife to receive the Baby Box and check their eligibility for Best Start Foods, which can provide essential support for their child. 

Pharmacy teams can contribute to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. 

For more detailed guidance on supporting patients with NRPF, please refer to the full resource created by Public Health Scotland. 

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