British expatriates are now no longer entitled to free healthcare under the UK ‘s National Health Service following a crackdown on what has been termed ?health tourism’. But as the UK shies away from the health tourism phenomenon, countries like Thailand are welcoming it with open arms. As of this year, British nationals resident outside the UK are no longer automatically eligible for free expat health treatment through the National Health Service, according to the controversial proposal made earlier this year by UK Health Secretary Jo hn Reid. The changes came about as part of the UK government’s crackdown on what has been labelled in the press as ?health tourism’. As a result of growing concerns and criticism, a three-month public consultation was carried out late last year to determine how to amend the system. This followed fears that the accession of 10 additional st employment law services ates in May 2004 to the EU would lead to a further increase in ?visitors’ taking benefit of the free health service and claims that the National Health Service was already under extreme pressure from asylum seekers needing medical attention. The result, from 1 April 2004, is that only employed, tax-paying residents and their dependants are entitled to free services from the NHS and non-residents are not. Since the original announcement early this year, little up-to-date information has actually been released by the government. However, according to the Department of Health press releases and their website, there are new guidelines as to the eligibility for free treatment. British expats who spend less than three months a year in the UK will no longer have automatic free access expat health clinics, hospitals and GPs, except for emergency treatment, such as for a heart attack.