Walsall Manor Hospital spent £110k on overseas patients in just one year

New figures show the Trust, which runs the Manor, invoiced £113,010.44 to patients who needed care at the hospital in 2015/16 but were not entitled to free healthcare.

The Trust has a history of battling to get overseas visitors to pay their bills as, as reported by the Express & Star last year, it was still chasing more than £50,000 from one female patient more than a year on from her giving birth at the Manor.

It has now been revealed that this woman may have come to the UK on purpose to give birth and take advantage of NHS care.

Councillor Ian Robertson, the cabinet member for health at Walsall Council, said: "You have to be careful that people do not exploit the system. I think there are people in the UK and in Walsall who have arrived who are just about to give birth and they come here just to get NHS treatment.

"I think it is very unfair if people do that. Hospitals need to be aware and make sure they do not get away with it. One case at the Manor was very suspicious that this was the case. I cannot remember the full details but it did raise some questions about that particular patient."

On the issue of overseas visitors costs and the Manor's approach to it, councillor Robertson added: "It is money that is being taken from our health service."I know they have been on the ball in chasing the money because I remember discussing the issue with Richard Kirby.

"Ethically it is extremely difficult. If somebody is very ill do you say to them we are not going to treat you unless it is money up front or do you try and be fair. I would not want to see us go down the route of the system in the US where you have to show your Medicare card to be provided any sort of care.

"I do not know the current situation but the issue of arrears has been discussed. They are very much aware of it and they are trying very hard to address it.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust was contacted but did not respond before the Express & Star went to print.