All Ukrainians arriving in England will be able to access NHS healthcare free of charge, including GP and nurse consultations, hospital services, and urgent care centres.

The government has committed to providing full access to a range of public services, including doctors, schools and full local authority support. They will also be offered Covid vaccines and medical screenings. The new legislative measures introduced will ensure Ukrainians who are in the UK lawfully can access the NHS on a similar basis as other UK residents.

Those benefitting will include any Ukrainian who: uses an alternative temporary visa route outside of the family or sponsorship routes; is on a family or sponsored route to England; chooses to extend their visit or seasonal worker visa temporarily, without going through the Immigration Health Surcharge system; or is in the process of switching visas.

The changes cover any NHS treatment that started on or after 24 February 2022, the date the full-scale Russian invasion began, providing support to as many people as possible.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It’s our moral duty to ensure any Ukrainian arriving in England, after being forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion is able to access the healthcare they might need, without worrying about the cost. We have acted swiftly to provide substantial humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with our international partners. Those in need of care will be treated by our incredible NHS staff as we welcome them to this country.”

The exemption regulations are due to be reviewed in six months.