But that happens so infrequently, the effect is vanishingly small; so what you're left with, is people who experience a genuine medical issue whilst in the UK, who need help, and get it.

Personally, I'd rather live in a country that allows for that, than a close-minded, xenophobic hate factory, that shrugs its collective shoulders at people in need, until they've swiped their credit card. But maybe that's just me.

Take your point. However when I go abroad I purchase travel insurance in case I get into difficulty. Shouldn't people who visit here do the same? Or do they think "I'll not bother they'll treat me anyway".

I don't know.

the worst spongers in this country are the royal family,these benefit scroungers have been getting away with it for years.about time the monarchy was abolished,totally outdated.we neither need or can afford these parasites.whats the first thing a midwife says to a royal baby.you have won the lottery.

Who are they?
Apart from A&E I thought those outside the EU had to pay anyway. I have been having medical tests for over a year & have no experience or evidence of queues of forriners waiting to give birth or have a heart transplant. Perhaps that's because I focus on the Tories treatment of the health service rather than a handful of desperate people in need for the problems of the NHS. I am proud my taxes go to help those less fortunate.

So am I mate. In fact I would gladly pay say an extra couple of p in the pound to help fund it if it was going to be managed better. The left wing don't have a monopoly of caring for our fellow man. Similarly focussing on the royal family won't cure the country's ills. Don't know the p&l is with them but they do bring in a lot of tourist pounds. I don't know about you but I wouldn't like to live in the goldfish bowl they do.

I am a republican, but the issue of the royal family is way down my list of priorities. I don't buy the tourist argument; sure a few yanks dream of meeting Liz in the Queen Vic but I do think most would come to Blighty with or without them. As you say, I wouldn't want their life. I would like to snot Prince Andrew though.

The Royal family are corrupt to the core. Princess Di was going to marry a Muslim. She was killed in a car crash in Paris after been chased by the " media"

Jill Dando about to expose paedophiles at the BBC , shot dead on her doorstep . An innocent man framed for her murder , her husband is the queens gynacologist and also delivered the royal babies .

Henri Paul was inebriated whilst driving the car at high speed that the Queen of Hearts was travelling in.
Jill Dando didn't have a husband.

Tin foil hat time again I see.