Using NHS and "no recourse to public funds"?

A few days ago I had an interesting conversation with a women who is here on a spousal visa. She was told by British officials in her home country (Indonesia) that "no recourse to public funds" meant that she would not be able to use the NHS unless is was an emergency situation. But I know others who have been here with that same "no recourse..." restriction on their visa who have used the NHS for non-emergencies with no problems.

Who's right, and who would one ask to find out for sure one way or the other?

Thanks,

Clarelynn

If she has a spousal visa, she can use the NHS.

Yeah my husband is here on that visa and it also says 'no recourse to public funds' but he can still use the NHS and has an NHS number, is registered with the surgery, etc.

That's great news. I'll let her know. But she's very convinced that she had better not use the NHS and is afraid that if she does, visa renewals (or however it works) in the future might be jeopardized.

Is there some official website or some such that she could read abou this on? I think that without hearing it from the horse's mouth, she might well be overly cautious and simply avoid seeing a doctor for years unless it's an emergency.

Thanks,

Clarelynn

Here's an official link:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/International/OverseasVisitors/OverseasVisitorsBrowsableDocument/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4099060&MULTIPAGE_ID=4955329&chk=AO2LKU

My former student visa said that I know, and all post-graduates from overseas went through an orientation where we had to take care of certain requirements, one of these was registering with the drs. office on campus.  I also think I had an NHS number.  If I did as a student, I would think anyone here for marriage could as well.  And, as Andrea's link shows, anyone here for marriage seems to be covered.     YAY! 

The NHS does not count as a 'public fund' in the same way that income support, housing benefit etc does, as it is a contributory benefit which is guaranteed by all those eligible for National Insurance.  She can certainly use it.

Victoria

Fantastic. I've forwarded the information and the link to her. She and her husband will be very happy to hear about this. She's in good health, but it's nice to know you'd be covered, all the same.

Thank you!

:-)

Clarelynn