Camden news - Zarine Rentia, University College Hospital

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Camden New Journal - By SIMON WROE
Published: 3 April 2008

Mother: ‘How could hospital make her wait?’

THE grieving mother of Zarine Rentia has accused University College London Hospital of being over-concerned with Home Office protocol.
Speaking to the New Journal from India, Tasnim Rentia said: “She needed treatment which she didn’t get.
“I was asked lots of questions about my immigration status and they couldn’t accept her. In cancer you cannot waste a minute, but she had to wait eight days.”
Zarine and her mother were in the middle of a prolonged legal battle to remain in the UK when the schoolgirl became seriously ill.
Experts referred her to UCLH on February 14 but the hospital did not grant her admittance until 11 days later.
A UCLH spokesman said that Zarine’s case had been discussed, in line with trust policy by a panel of specialists.
He said: “We were made aware of the patient’s immigration status on February 20 but there was never any question that this trust would not offer medical support to this patient.”
The spokesman added: “The NHS works under strict guidelines about which patients it can treat and who is entitled to receive free health care but this trust will always do its best to support anyone who needs medical treatment of whatever kind.”

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