HEALTH experts accused Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday of risking the free NHS in order to look tough after he threatened to charge foreigners for treatment. 

Mr Hunt proposed charges in a crackdown on “health tourism” that was severely criticised as misguided by campaigners.

Health Emergency campaign spokesman John Lister said Mr Hunt’s plan went against the very principles the NHS was founded on and were based on “completely spurious” figures. 

The measure could see people charged £2,244 for having their child delivered in Britain and Mr Hunt argues it would save the NHS £500 million.

Hospitals are expected to take non-EU citizens’ personal details and force patients to pay 75 per cent of the cost upfront. 

The balance would be charged upon completion of treatment.

And NHS trusts failing to comply with the regulations or to bill foreign patients are set to be fined. 

But Mr Lister said the policy would also introduce the idea of healthcare payment to Britons and make it acceptable. 

“When you’ve got a pay window in a hospital next thing they are charging everybody,” he added.

Healthcare union Unison was also adamantly against the move.

“NHS workers’ first priority is to treat those in need of medical care — regardless of where they come from,” said a spokewoman. 

“Asking them to act as debt collectors is simply not viable.” 

National Health Action Party spokeswoman Dr Louise Irvine added that “if people are coming to live and study in this country I don’t see why they should have to pay for healthcare because they are contributing their part to society.”