Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of recent media reports that the Commonwealth-born, British Army veteran, Taitusi Ratucaucau is facing a medical bill for treatment after being found ineligible for free NHS care; and if he will make a statement.

Within England, free National Health Service hospital treatment is provided on the basis of someone being ‘ordinarily resident’. There are several groups of people who are exempt from charging. This includes:

- United Kingdom armed forces members, plus their spouse/civil partner and children under 18; and

- Those receiving war pensions, war widows’ pensions or armed forces compensation scheme payments, plus their spouse/civil partner and children under 18.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with the provider concerned and the Department to ensure the veteran continues to receive the best possible treatment and care from the NHS whilst the issue of his eligibility for free NHS care is resolved.