EEA entitlement to free health service treatment

The request was successful.

Dear Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland),

I am writing on behalf of the EU Rights and Brexit Hub.

We have been made aware that some EEA nationals have received letters from hospital trusts in Northern Ireland about their entitlement to free health service treatment. We would like some more information about the number of these letters sent from Western Health and Social Care Trust and how recipients were identified.

Please could you, within the limits of the FOIA, provide answers to the following questions, as far as possible:

1. How many copies of letters from your trust requesting evidence of entitlement to free health service treatment have been sent to individuals with an EEA nationality for the following years:
a. 2019
b. 2020
c. 2021

2. Has the process for demonstrating entitlement to free health service treatment been updated to include the digital status share code for residence status under the EU Settlement Scheme?

3. Could you send us a copy of the most up to date version of the letter?

If you cannot answer all the questions, please prioritise the response to question 1.

Yours faithfully,

Alice Welsh

FOI Request, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland)

We acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Our reference number for this request is listed in the subject line of this email.

Your request will be logged and processed, and we will do our utmost to respond as quickly as possible; however there may be some delays as staff are asked to prioritise their professional caring duties and to support front line health and social care services in responding to the Covid19 emergency. 

Kind Regards

Freedom of Information Office
Western Health & Social Care Trust
Email: [Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland) request email]

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FOI Request, Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland)

2 Attachments

Dear Ms Welsh

I refer to your Freedom of Information (FOI) request below which was received by the Western Health and Social Care Trust on 21st January 2022. Please see attached a Trust response to your request.

Regards

Freedom of Information Office
Western Health & Social Care Trust
Email: [Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland) request email]

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