In The Press

Albert Thompson*, client of public law trainee solicitor, Jeremy Bloom, remains uncertain as to whether he will be made to pay for his cancer treatment even though Theresa May has promised that he would get the care he needs. Albert arrived in the UK at the end of the Windrush-era which saw those arriving from the commonwealth given indefinite leave to remain. Albert arrived in December 1973, just after the cut-off date for this government backed scheme. The government has received criticism for destroying a number of landing cards which recorded the arrival dates of many in the Windrush generation, which is now causing issues when they attempt to prove their immigration status. Both Praxis, a London Immigration charity, and Albert’s legal representative, Jeremy, have not been contacted with any clear guidance on what the PM’s promise will mean for Albert. Whilst Albert continues taking medication prescribed by his GP, he needs radiotherapy to treat the prostate cancer, which he was told he could not receive without either proof of leave to remain or paying £54,000. Jeremy explains that this is not an exclusive problem and that many are left uncertain whilst they attempt to prove their eligibility to remain in the UK: “And as far as we have been told, nothing has changed. It’s not just about Albert. People who can demonstrate that they’ve been here for decades should not be told that they need indefinite leave to remain or else they have to pay in advance for their NHS treatment.”
*His name has been changed to protect his identity.