Should immigrants have health checks?

Foreigners wanting to live and work in the UK will be subjected to compulsory health checks, under plans set to be announced by the Conservatives.

A positive test for tuberculosis would automatically mean visa applications being turned down, other conditions, including HIV, would be dealt with on a case by case basis.

The Tory leader, Michael Howard, says the idea is to make sure that people coming into the UK are not a public health risk and would not be a drain on the NHS.

Labour called the Tory plans a desperate attempt to catch up with the government's own immigration policies.

Should the UK impose health checks on foreign nationals who are seeking work? Would checks safeguard the health of the public? Send us your views.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Chris, UK: Should the UK impose health checks on foreign nationals who are seeking employment within the EU? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

What is the big deal? I'm emigrating and I had to have a blood test, urine test, chest x-ray, and full medical. All to go to New Zealand. It cost £400 for myself and family. This means we have to be determined to emigrate and prevents us being a burden on their health system. This is very fair and should be the same for immigrants to the UK.
Jonathan Scott, Burton on Trent, UK

Over 30years ago I was offered a job in the US. When I attended the Embassy in London I had to pay for the X-ray which proved I was clear before they interviewed me later in the day which resulted in my visa being granted. A letter signed in legal presence stating that should I fall ill/incapacitated then my employer would be financially responsible for paying for my care or arranging for my flight home was also required. My brother now lives in the US and the only change was they gave him an address where he had to attend to have his chest x-ray and blood tests carried out, at his expense, before attending his visa interview later that day. This is not a racist/prejudice thing it is doing all within our power to stop disease etc.
Katherine Eady, Northampton, UK

I agree with the general principle of health testing for immigration status. I had to undergo a general medical examination (TB, HIV, etc) for my US student visa when I went there for university. My GP discovered a serious heart defect, which was corrected in due course by surgery 10 years later. However, the Tories are proposing this policy to pander to the anti-immigration sentiment. For equality's sake, why not screen EU citizens as well? If the Tories want to be fair, then Britons returning from Ibiza should be screened for sexually transmitted infections, too.
Robin, London

As long as it applied to all immigrants (even celebrities) I cannot see that it is unreasonable. It might be more useful to require new immigrants to have adequate health insurance and charge for any costs incurred if they need treatment in the first few years of residence.
Amanda, Torbay, Devon

I'm inclined to agree that we don't want loads of sick immigrants, incapable of offering the country the benefit of their labour in return for the opportunity of living here, however I cannot see this measure actually protecting public health. What about the millions of tourists and business travellers? Surely they present a similar risk to the public health as immigrants.
David R, Plymouth UK

We should not be shutting people out of the islands Jack, Chipping Norton

Checks should only be performed for the benefit of the immigrant, i.e. so that we know what medical treatment, if any, that they need and thereby, give it to them. We should not be shutting people out of the islands unless it can be proven they are here selling weapons or something like that.
Jack, Chipping Norton

The practice already exists, the only difference being that it is applied at random at the entrance into the country. There is an on duty GP at Gatwick and Heathrow as well as an X-ray machine for this exact purpose. In 1998 I was politely asked out of the queue and had to go through it for a TB checkup. It is actually better if checks are applied equally to everyone instead of being based on the mood, likes and dislikes of the clerk at the Immigration desk.
Anton Ivanov, Cambridge, UK

Why is this even being debated? Of course they should be tested. Children have had vaccinations for years to try and stop the spread of TB etc, why should immigrants be allowed to enter the country if they are full of diseases and will be a drain on an already struggling NHS!
Vicky, Surrey

We should have been doing this years ago Ian, Barnsley UK

We should have been doing this years ago. Part of the attraction of coming to this country is the free health care.
Ian, Barnsley UK

Perhaps immigrants should be fitted with an alarmed tag which goes off every time they stand next to a British citizen, allowing the British citizen to run away in mass hysteria.
Alex, London

Forty years ago we were required to have a medical examination before being allowed to emigrate to Australia from the UK. We had no problem with this. Australia and all other countries have a primary responsibility to their citizens to ensure that diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV aids are not brought into the country. Health budgets are not unlimited.
Rosina, Australia

HIV is not a limitation, if managed properly Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Bracknell

Don't forget a true asylum seeker is someone who is looking for help as they are in fear of their lives and being persecuted back home, NOT an economic migrant. For them, their state of health shouldn't matter and they should be dealt with swiftly. As for others applying for work visas, we know that HIV is not a limitation, if managed properly. How about making them pay for their own healthcare during their stay ? In the same way as they can't claim unemployment benefits.
Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Bracknell

I don't know what all the fuss on this issue is about. Anyone wanting to migrate to Canada is required to undergo a rigorous medical prior to any migration approval. Canada and Australia are not the only countries with such a system - why should the UK be any different?
AB, Derbyshire

I think this is a very good idea as it will keep Britain healthy and stop new diseases! Bravo Michael Howard.
Olly Matthews, Bristol

I had a medical check up seven years ago to come to the UK. Why is this big news? It is mandatory that a person who is coming to the UK for more than six months has to take a medical clearance otherwise a visa will not be issued in the home country.
Sreedhar, Watford

I've just emigrated to Canada from the UK. The interviews, tests, paperwork and expense have been endless but I totally agree with the Canadian system. I can't understand why this system wasn't brought in years ago in the UK.
Clive Seacombe, Montreal, Canada

An opportunistic and cynical policy Daniel Owens, Manchester, UK

An opportunistic and cynical policy by an opportunistic and cynical Conservative party. This country will be absolutely no better off after this raft of ludicrous proposals by both Conservative and Labour parties have passed into law. As both parties scuttle over to the right to appease the tabloids with this pointless exercise in electioneering, can I ask: who's running the country?
Daniel Owens, Manchester, UK

When I emigrated to the US from Britain 4 years ago, I was given a thorough medical examination - at my own expense. The tests included blood work for HIV, x-rays for TB as well and multiple shots (MMR and Tetanus to name 2). I did not feel insulted. In fact, I think it is a small price to pay to settle in a new country.
Matt West, Wichita Falls, TX

As an NHS employee, I am sure there will be many people who will welcome this initiative since there is a lot of resentment that 'foreigners' can come into this country, bring disease and expect to be treated, using up valuable NHS resources and preventing UK residents from getting the treatment they require. It is however institutional racism and as hard as the NHS tries to get rid of racism it just simply isn't working.
Suzie, Newcastle

Do the Non-EU immigrants include US, Australians, Kiwis, white South Africans etc or only people from poorer countries in Asia and Africa? Also, does this mean that EU citizens are free of diseases and won't burden the NHS further?
Murli, Vienna

It's about time we protected our own citizens Anne Chapman

Why shouldn't people have to undergo a health check? My daughter is applying for a visa to Australia and has had to have a full medical. Also, 22 years ago when my son was born and we lived near Heathrow airport he had to have his BCG at 4 days old because of the high incidence of TB coming into the country. It's about time we protected our own citizens.
Anne Chapman

Is there going to be testing on people who come to the country to work and therefore pay taxes? Taxes which presumably will go (in part) to fund the NHS? Are we going to ban foreign smokers as well as they might get cancer and be a burden too (even if the tax they pay when they work and from buying cigarettes will also fund the NHS)? Perhaps if this country will not give medical aid to foreign workers, those people shouldn't bother paying taxes for our welfare.
Kate, Oxford, UK

I have worked all over the Middle East and all those countries require that expat workers have medicals before they are allowed to work there. These medicals include x-ray for TB, blood and urine test for HIV and Hepatitis C. Any positive results result in residence and work visas being refused. Why should the UK be different?
Eric Naylor, Glazebury, UK

Every other country in the world has health checks for asylum seekers and those seeking a visa. A few years ago, when I applied for a visa to work in America, I had to go for several health checks. My husband, who is a Canadian and used to work for Immigration Canada, says that any potential visa seekers must have a health check. Also most refugees are sent to a doctor within weeks of making their claim.
Caroline, Dartmouth

Reading through the comments on this subject I am amazed how many people see this as right wing or even racist. It seems that one of the political parties should promote adult education to enable a sensible debate to take place.
Alan, Langley Vale, England

Our immigration policy should not stigmatise and refuse treatment to the most vulnerable Dermot McDonough, South Uist, Scotland

A disproportionate number of people who become sick with TB are the most vulnerable in any society: children, the elderly, the poor, the homeless, racial/ethnic minorities, and people infected with HIV. Our immigration policy should not stigmatise and refuse treatment to the most vulnerable.
Dermot McDonough, South Uist, Scotland

I have been living here for the last four years as a student and I might work here for few more before heading back to my home country. So I am effectively an immigrant. And I do not have any problems if Britain is just trying to protect its citizens. What's all the hullabaloo about?
Anonymous Immigrant, London

So often people accuse smaller parties of single issue politics - now Labour and Tories are have joined the petty politics. There are bigger issues such as crime, health, public service reform which should be debated along with UK foreign policy such as the Iraq war. Dangerous signs for a already small nation
Anon, London UK

To all those who cry 'racism', I would say just this. When you have finished your session on this site, look up the Immigration Departments of the most desirable migrant destinations in the world and see just how hard it is to gain permanent residence. Other countries require migrants to be physically fit and free from illness, not just to protect their populations, but to avoid a predictable drain on their health services. This is, of course, in addition to demanding that migrants have the linguistic and employment skills that the countries actually need.
John Manton, Rye, UK

Under the NHS act foreigners are not entitled to free NHS treatment, yet so many health professionals refuse to implement the law and treat people regardless of their status. If the current law was enforced the number of "health tourists" would plummet and there would be no need for for screening.
Eileen, Rotherham

I am appalled that this is all being done in an election run-up. These issues should be discussed calmly and rationally overtime. All I see out of this is an attempt to gain votes by raising racist fears.
Jack, Essex

This is bordering racism. Why target immigrants outside the EU? What about the millions from the Eastern Bloc who joined last May and the millions more set to join in 2007? Are we seriously being told that they are HIV and TB clear?! I think not! Or is this a tacit admission that the Tories too are unable, due EU laws, to control anyone coming here from within this rapidly expanding EU. Roll on 2006 and it's a No vote for me!
Ron, London

Finally some rules. But I hope this will not only be an election exercise. If we want to be a healthy nation we you need act now! Prevention is cheaper than treatment.
Natalie, Manchester, UK

British people that return from a period of travelling should also be checked.
Sally Kinkage, Southampton, Hants.

I can't believe we haven't operated such a scheme in the past and that it is only being discussed now. Over the last decade we have seen illnesses such as TB which were practically eradicated in the past return because such measures weren't introduced before now. Hopefully this will go some way to introducing the need for a wider discussion on the whole area of health tourists and the strain they already put on an already crumbling National Health Service.
Scott, South Coast

How about some hard data indicating the expected cost of this screening Piers, Surrey, UK

How about some hard data indicating the expected cost of this screening and the expected benefits. In the absence of this the only rational response is to view this as right wing scaremongering.
Piers, Surrey, UK

I am little confused here...as far as I know, these checks are already in place. When I moved to the UK 6 years ago on a work permit. My wife and I had to undergo tests (including x-rays, etc) at our own expense and carry the results with us to the UK. When we landed at Heathrow airport, a health officer was summoned and looked at the results before we were allowed past immigration. I can't understand why this is suddenly a new policy! Oh yes, elections are around the corner.
S Kulkarni, UK

I can remember that as a child I had to travel to Libya. In order for me to get a visa to visit my parents who were living out there I had to undergo medical checks before I got my visa. Asylum is of course another matter because we should treat those who need shelter, but that should not be abused.
Tony, Welling Kent

This wouldn't be so bad if it were applied to all migrants, including those from the EU. Anything else would just be racist. However, infectious diseases should not stop refugees getting the help they need. Just because you're HIV positive, doesn't mean that you can't be persecuted.
Lawrence, Northampton, England

Disgraceful - the Tories and supporters of the policy ought to be ashamed. Classic racist stereotyping which denotes "foreigners" as diseased. This type of thinking was expressed in the right wing press of the nineteenth century and should not be even considered now.
Anat Toffell, London, UK

I can't believe it's taken this long for this to reach the top of the immigration agenda Antony, Manchester

I can't believe it's taken this long for this to reach the top of the immigration agenda. Many other G8 countries apply strict criteria in health and other fields; why shouldn't we? Unfortunately for Howard I'd never vote Tory, but I'd have no problems with any other party wanting to use these and other criteria for immigrants. Having looked at migrating to Canada myself, I would have no problem in taking a health check. After all the decision to migrate or accept immigrants should be to the benefit of both the immigrant and the destination country.
Antony, Manchester

Before the EU began I applied for residency in Spain and a health check was required as part of the application. It seemed totally reasonable to me as It did to everyone else I knew who applied. No one gave it a second thought. What I don't understand is why the English don't have health checks already?
Bianca Rowan, UK

I find myself in two minds on this. On the one hand some of the points in favour seem quite reasonable - especially the one about childhood immunisation and the lack of it elsewhere in the world. But on the other, having established a principle, it seems illogical to stop there. Why not adopt the same stance with tourists. And if we are to protect ourselves completely maybe we should quarantine any one who goes abroad - just in case. Hmmm - on balance it sounds like electioneering to me.
Stuart, Sevenoaks

Anyone trying to come into the country should be screened. If they are carrying any infectious diseases then their application should be rejected. The UK is not a hospital for all and sundry, irrespective of whether they are after asylum or not. There are plenty of 'safe' countries that can deal with them first.
Scott, Rochester, UK

Of course they should have health checks - just like the system Australia has. We should use them as the example.
NB, Preston, England

As I child in the 50s I contracted TB from my father but because we were being monitored, it was caught early and treated relatively quickly (4 months in hospital and 2 years on drugs). However 10 years later when I enquired about emigrating to Canada, I was told that even though I was free of the disease I would not be allowed in. It is a terrible disease and the current increase really concerns me, I know from my own family experience how devastating it can be. Of course we should monitor and exclude immigrants with TB.
Chris, London

These policies are fine - but they are detail - where's the big picture from the Conservatives? They're in danger of becoming a single issue party. I'd support any party that provides a credible alternative to Labour, not trying to out-manoeuvre them.
Mark G, London, UK

It doesn't make sense to take such measures to protect the population of diseases that they can catch when they travel on holiday. We live on the same planet, and every human being has the some rights, "to live wherever they want"...
Abrahan, Bristol

Well done the Tories. Recently I heard that there was a man from America who claimed asylum in the UK. One of the reasons cited was he could not afford Aids healthcare in the US and wanted the NHS to stump up to provide for his failing health.
Hanif Rehman, UK

A thorough medical exam including TB screening has been mandatory for years Ketan, London

Nothing new in this at all - a thorough medical exam including TB screening has been mandatory for years. I had one when I moved to the UK from India about 5 years ago. Cannot understand why this is big news!!
Ketan, London

More hysterical reaction from the Tories - let's blame asylum seekers and immigrants for everything! The real causes of these health problems are people not allowing their children to have TB inoculations and a decent sex education - will the Tories be addressing either of these?
Sam, Sheffield, UK

Does this mean that someone coming from the third world with HIV will be automatically turned away? Even if they are in dire need, and would have a significantly better standard of health care in the UK? I don't see how it can be justified.
Polly, Edinburgh

Another example of the Tories trying to play catch up. All they are doing here is trying to copy Veritas' policies which were advised at the party launch, and at the official launch of Veritas' immigration policy yesterday.
Alan Ainscow, Bolton. Lancs

Chest x-rays are already given to foreign nationals entering the UK to live or work. So, what's the fuss? I agree that any sovereign country should be allowed to set whatever health checks they wish. But why do these issues always come up at election time? A sad reflection on a xenophobic UK society.
Martin, London, UK

Martin, it is not a result of a "xenophobic" society that raises issues such as this. It is caution. We must take precautions to prevent the spread of disease. We immunise ourselves and our children. We have health checks on a regular basis. Why should we expect less of someone wanting to live in the UK?
Jeremy, Kent, UK

It's a tough call - on the one hand you want to protect the millions of UK public and the NHS, but you risk turning away someone who is in need of healthcare. However we are not talking about asylum seekers here. If I wanted to work in any foreign country but had an infectious disease, I would expect there to be complications. The immigrants coming here should expect no different.
Anna, Birmingham, UK

Of course health checks are needed. When I took a job abroad, there were rigorous health checks before I left Britain (and that was before AIDS and the present increase in tuberculosis). Responsible employers demand health checks, so it's only sensible to have a check-up before you take a job in another country.
Martin Gore, Kagoshima, Japan

If the Tories say that there so many immigrants, who will now have to have health checks and they want to cut the immigration budget then how can they afford to do both. An election is obviously coming up.
Abdi, London, UK

Prevention is always better than cure Rachel, Reading, Berks, UK

Yes. Children in the UK are monitored throughout their childhood, and immunised when appropriate through programmes in schools. To let in an immigrant and their children who have not been through the same programme of immunisation would be a potential danger to our children and the immigrants themselves. Prevention is always better than cure. It's also cheaper for the NHS to pay for a jab than to pay for beds in hospitals, nursing care, and prescriptions for the people who get ill with the diseases that everyone else have been immunised against. Good idea.
Rachel, Reading, Berks, UK

This makes perfect sense to me but is not a novel idea as a number of countries insist on HIV/Aids testing prior to entry, even for visitors. I do however think that those we do end up letting in, should be subject to these proposals. It's not going to cost them and in many cases could save their lives and more importantly the lives of others. I now await to read postings from the weak liberal/human rights mob!
Chris Green, Hagley, Worcs England

What's the problem? Politicians tell us that immigrants bring benefits to Britain but if they're carrying dangerous diseases (and no one doubt that some of them do) they will be a danger to everyone else and a drain on the NHS. Screening is common sense. Canada and New Zealand do it and so should we.
Gordon Layton, London, UK

Yes health checks should be carried out before permanent entry given. Any other country already has this check in place.
John Dancy, Weymouth Dorset England

This already happens in Canada, a friend recently emigrated and had to have several health checks before getting a visa, seems sensible to me
Matt, Cambridge

A sensible way of protecting public health. Why isn't this done now?
John Gardner, Leicester UK

If immigrants with marriage or fiance/fiancee visas have for many years had to have a TB test on arrival then why not other immigrants too? The type of visa is irrelevant. What matters is whether they have come from a region of the world where these diseases are found.
KJ, London

Yes, of course. Back in November, the author of a Health Protection Agency report on HIV infection stated that the increased UK prevalence in 2003 was "largely contributed to by the migration of people from areas of the world where there is a high prevalence of HIV". The cost to taxpayers could be astronomical. And importing TB sufferers could turn out to be a huge risk to public health.
Beth, Cambridge, UK

Let us get back to the controls we once had Gordon Sturman, Cheam/UK

Let us get back to the controls we once had. I remember the scourge of TB when I came out of the forces in 1947. The efforts this country made screening, mobile vans etc. to eradicate TB, and because of complacency, it has again become a problem.
Gordon Sturman, Cheam/UK

I totally agree. I had to have a chest X-ray when I moved to Bermuda. I didn't have to have anything when I moved to Dublin, but I wouldn't have minded if I had. These days we all travel around the globe so easily, there's no telling what we may have picked up without our knowledge. I intend on moving back to the UK this year, and wouldn't be offended if, having lived away for so many years, I'd be subject to a health check. It's only fair.
Lucie Carroll, Dublin

Of course they should - this is common sense, and I'm glad that a mainstream party has put it forward. The duty of any government is to protect its people, and there is currently an influx of people with HIV, hepatitis and TB. Surely it is right to stop this? A friend of mine went to teach in Saudi Arabia, and she wasn't allowed to set foot in the country until she had been tested for the above diseases and more. I support this.
A. Hewlett, Manchester, England

As much as I despair about Labour and the Tories trying to fight to see who is the toughest on issues like immigration, I think that this measure would be a good idea, provided it isn't used simply as an excuse to reject people in its own right.
Nathan James, Liverpool

I moved to Norway 18 years ago and one of the first things I was required to do was to take a TB test. At the same time I received good information about the health care system, who to contact if I ever needed treatment and the necessary documents. Such and effective system could surely be implemented in the UK.
Andrew Lomax, Tromso, Norway

AIDS is running rampant in most of the third world, so why not take precautions to try and stem the spread of this disease?
Andy, Redhill, UK

Yes checks should be made. Not only to safeguard the people they will be working with but also to slow down those who want to come over for the free health care by getting any job.
Bob, London, UK

It is important that the health of the nation is at the front of any government policies B, Dartford, Kent

It is important that the health of the nation is at the front of any government policies. But what worries me is that certain groups will twist it to a raciest policy.
B, Dartford, Kent

If Michael Howard can guarantee that this measure also would apply to white immigrants coming from the EU, I would be for this. When I came to the UK from Hong Kong in 2001, I had to go through an x-ray examination etc at the airport so I do not see what is new. All I see is that the Conservatives have no issues for this election so they have started to play on the ignorance of the people.
Venkat, London, UK

Does this imply that people coming from EU countries are automatically healthy? Or is just that they carry a better class of the disease? This is merely racism by the back door. In coming from poverty stricken countries, such people are clearly going to be more at risk of being disease carriers, but this does not make their case for living in this country any weaker. The biggest problem is that many people will only be too happy to fall for these measures.
Dave Godfrey, Swindon, UK

I agree with Venkat and Dave Godfrey - what about the soaring rate of HIV and TB in the new EU countries? Why are they excluded and their citizens free to bring any illness here, then get into already scarce service? Everybody who wants to work here should go through the health check - the present chaos is no longer sustainable.
Francesca, Surrey, UK

Absolutely! I had to have a chest X-ray for TB and tests for HIV when I emigrated to Singapore and then to Hong Kong, so why not people arriving here? In Singapore any resident foreigner is expelled if they contract HIV and after any crime sentence is complete. A very sensible approach. I know first hand what it is to be "a foreigner" as we were so called and it did not offend me in the least as I recognised the logic and appreciated the foresight. Labour may have a 5 year plan, but they are so quick to introduce other ideas, why not this one?
Tim, London

I totally agree they should be health screened. When we have no waiting lists at all in the UK then screening could be dropped.
Mike, Southampton UK

I think that it's an excellent idea. With parts of London having a higher rate of TB than some parts of Africa it seems more than reasonable to not want immigrants who can add to the problem. The worrying point is what to do if a genuine asylum seeker has got TB. Do we say "yes, come in" and treat them or say "no, go home" and put our international responsibilities in jeopardy?
Tom, Cambridge

For Canadian immigration I was tested for HIV, TB and syphilis and also had to undergo a general medical examination. It seemed normal to me at the time. Canada is obviously concerned about public health.
Zoe, London, UK

I question the prominence that the Conservatives are giving to this. They seem once again to be trying to associate immigrants with ill-health, disease and benefits. The undercurrent here is very unpleasant and they are encouraging the warped views of extremists.
Rory, London, England

Sounds like an excellent ploy election wise - nice and mean to immigrants. It's presumably more important to screen for all these diseases amongst the existing population. So the logical thing is compulsory health screening for binge drinkers and similar - or are they hoping to get their votes?
John, Fleet, UK

I don't see anything wrong in this. Our health service struggles to meet the needs of the population who have paid for it. Why should we allow people with expensive health problems in to take advantage of it?
Tony, UK