Policy governing entitlement to access government health care for foreign nationals in England is a subject of debate, controversy and confusion. Of particular concern to health providers has been the impact of National Health Service charges on delaying HIV testing and anti-retroviral treatment uptake and adherence amongst certain migrant groups. Data obtained through focus groups with 70 migrants from southern Africa, suggest that confusion over health care entitlements exists amongst those seeking health care and is reported amongst health service providers. This confusion, as well as financial difficulties and fears over deportation facing some migrants, can in turn be a factor influencing their decisions to avoid formal health services, resort to alternative and often ineffective or potentially adverse forms of therapy, and delay HIV testing and treatment uptake. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

England HIV treatment African migrants Late HIV testing Southern Africa

HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection mass screening health care personnel human health service priority journal State Medicine antiretrovirus agent Human immunodeficiency virus national health service screening South Africa Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants England female Zimbabwe Article patient compliance major clinical study health care access United Kingdom Emergency Service, Hospital Health Policy medical decision making attitude to health Health Services Accessibility