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A couple who fled Wuhan in China on the Government's advice over fears about Coronavirus will have to pay for maternity care the Department of Health has confirmed.

The Department of Health acknowledged that Forest of Dean man Jed Jones, 28, and Liu Pan, pursuit for free NHS maternity care is "unusual and challenging" but said that because Mrs Liu is not a UK tax payer she will have to pay for treatment.

A spokesman reiterated that the NHS is a residence based service so oversees visitors are always liable to pay for treatment.

Mr Jones, 28, and Mrs Liu, who is 24 weeks pregnant, were forced to evacuate the Chinese city of Wuhan where the news of the spread of Coronavirus emerged, on January 9.

The couple are now faced with the option of paying about £10,000 for NHS costs to ensure their unborn child's health or returning to Wuhan.

Mrs Liu, 29, flew over on an emergency waiver visa and was since granted a visitor visa for six months by Border Force, whilst in a quarantine facility in Milton Keynes. Since it only grants her six months in the country, she is ineligible for free NHS health care.

Mr Jones, from Lydney, said the situation they had been placed in was "unfair" as they followed the British Government's advice to leave and he had paid UK taxes and national insurance during the entirety of his time in China.

'Unusual and challenging'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We understand this is an unusual and challenging situation, and the NHS will never refuse maternity care.

“The NHS is a residence based service so overseas visitors are required to pay towards the costs of their treatment, just as British taxpayers do, but the NHS will always provide maternity to those who need it, including anyone repatriated from China."

Concerned father-to-be Mr Jones previously stated regarding the actual costs: “I’ve got a quote, just the pre-natal care is £1,500 and could be up to £4,500. The birth could be anything between £2,600 to £7,800.”

The NHS do offer a repayment plan that can be agreed with the hospital. However, Mr Jones has characterised the fees as "a debt", which could affect future visas.

'That's not very useful to me'

In response to the health department's statement, Mr Jones said: "They recognise the unusualness of the situation, but as far as they're going is to recognise it - and that's not very useful to me."

"This is roughly what I expected," he added. "What I found out in the last few days is what's pretty clear is they will treat but they will also bill.

"This is understandable but for me it's not necessarily a case of the money. My issue is with the situation is that we didn't know that we were going to be billed and that would have played a significant question in whether we came."

In regards to what the couple plan to do, Mr Jones said he has considered applying for a spouse visa for Mrs Liu but that option could take up to three or five months and "could come to several thousand pounds".

He mentioned that he was still holding out for "an exceptional move" from the Home Office who "all roads have lead to" in his enquiries.

The Home Office declined to comment.