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UK refuses health care to its own Overseas Territories citizen

- accused of ‘stark injustice’ as woman from Montserrat refused free NHS care
The Home Office in the United Kingdom reportedly offered to wipe ‘any alleged debts’ if Overseas Territories citizen Cherry Brown voluntarily returned to Montserrat – but that would leave her without the care she desperately needed. Photo: Internet Source
Cherry Brown has been helped by Ryan Hayman of Swanley town council, left, and Donaldson Romeo, a Montserratian MP. Photograph: Cherry Brown/ The Guardian
Cherry Brown has been helped by Ryan Hayman of Swanley town council, left, and Donaldson Romeo, a Montserratian MP. Photograph: Cherry Brown/ The Guardian
Cherry Brown has said, ‘If I had known all of these things [would happen to me] I would have stayed home and died in my bed in peace.’. Photo: Cherry Brown/The Guardian
Cherry Brown has said, ‘If I had known all of these things [would happen to me] I would have stayed home and died in my bed in peace.’. Photo: Cherry Brown/The Guardian
The United Kingdom (UK) has long been accused of neglecting its Overseas Territories, even while not doing enough to help those territories become independent nations, as mandated by the United Nations charter. Photo: Internet Source
The United Kingdom (UK) has long been accused of neglecting its Overseas Territories, even while not doing enough to help those territories become independent nations, as mandated by the United Nations charter. Photo: Internet Source
LONDON, United Kingdom- The United Kingdom (UK) has been accused of a “stark injustice” for failing to provide health services and humanitarian support to citizens of British overseas territories after a woman from the Caribbean island of Montserrat was refused free National Health Service (NHS) care and left homeless.

According to the UK publication, The Guardian, Council officials found Cherry Brown, 69, “sleeping rough” in a park in Swanley, Kent, in April. Brown had been funded by the Montserratian government – whose budget is largely subsidised by the UK – to travel to England to receive treatment from the NHS that was not available at home.

Once in the UK, according to The Guardian, Brown was unable to stay with relatives, and was told she did not have the right to housing or free medical treatment because of her status as a British overseas territory (BOT) citizen – which differs from that of British citizenship.

Brown has hypertension and needs two knee replacements, among other health issues.

'Insult to injury'

Ryan Hayman, the chief executive of Swanley town council, said he paid for a hotel for Brown and was later able to arrange temporary accommodation, but which had no access to cooking and laundry facilities.

“Cherry was stuck in limbo, hence Swanley and myself were trying to support her until Kent county council could house her,” he said. “Then, to add insult to injury, Cherry started to receive the bills [from the NHS].”

Brown is surviving on a small weekly stipend from Kent council, and said she had no way of paying the NHS for her care. Hayman told the Guardian that the Home Office had offered to wipe “any alleged debts” if Brown voluntarily returned to Montserrat – but that would leave her without the care she desperately needed.

'The injustice is stark'

Donaldson Romeo, a Montserrat MP and a former premier of the island, has travelled to the UK to try to negotiate urgent assistance for Brown and another Montserratian, Robert Baker, who is in a hospital in Jamaica and who he wants to be brought to the UK for NHS care.

In a letter to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Romeo drew a parallel to the Windrush scandal, when Caribbean people were wrongly detained and deported. He criticised the government for subsidising asylum seekers with no ties to the UK while refusing basic humanitarian support to BOT citizens.

He added: “The injustice is stark … British overseas territory citizens such as Ms Brown and Mr Baker are left in peril abroad, on UK and Commonwealth soil without … humanitarian assistance.”

Brown had been told by the Montserrat government that she had been referred for assistance to travel to the UK, and believed she had qualified under a scheme that allows up to 10 overseas citizens from each BOT to receive NHS treatment each year.

On arriving in the UK she discovered she was not on the programme, and the NHS charged her for her care.

“If I had known all of these things [would happen to me], I would have stayed home and died in my bed in peace,” Brown told the Guardian.

Home Office silent

Under the policy, the overseas territories must cover travel and accommodation costs, and Romeo argued that the arrangement did not take into account the specific challenges facing the people of Montserrat which, since the volcano eruption, has been unable to restore its health infrastructure.

“It’s time for us as Montserratians to stand up and demand that we’re treated as equal human beings, as citizens … and insist that the British government provides for us to the best of their ability … that they at least treat us with the respect given under human rights law,” he said.

Andrew Rosindell, the shadow FCDO undersecretary, said the British government needed to do more to support the people of Montserrat.

The Home Office and the FCDO declined to comment, The Guardian reported.

The UK has long been accused of neglecting its Overseas Territories, even while not doing enough to help those territories become independent nations, as mandated by the United Nations charter.

55 Responses to “UK refuses health care to its own Overseas Territories citizen”

  • BuzzBvi (01/10/2025, 15:12) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    Pretty sure British people that don't live in England don't get health care or houses either if they just turn up.
    • @Buzzbvi (02/10/2025, 09:50) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      What manner of heartless individual roams this world to make and/or agree with such a statement? First and foremost, the UK forcibly removed Africans from their homes and enslaved them to enhance their economy, compensated plantation owners through taxes imposed on UK citizens until just recently, refuses to acknowledge their genocide of these individuals, and now, when one of them requires medical care, they demand she return to her home or face penalties for medical fees. If there is not a place in hell set aside for all of you THEN and NOW!
      • BuzzBvi (02/10/2025, 18:46) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
        Ah right. Yes I missed that, this was really a reparations story.
        I will look out for that going forwards. Every time a blacik person is refused something they are not legally entitled to (in the same way white people are not) they should be given it.
        Is it just this one as you seems to infer or can all Black people just expect access to anything going forwards. I can get behind that. Imagine the chaos.
        • @Buzzbvi (02/10/2025, 20:38) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
          It is evident that I cannot connect with your sense of humanity, as it seems to be lacking; perhaps this will assist in clarifying the situation. Let me further articulate my thoughts in this manner to help with your struggle to display compassion towards humanity.

          Imagine Black people as your ‘beloved pets’; now, imagine one of them is in need of assistance with her ankles, similar to this lady's situation. Surely, you can find it necessary to gather your financial resources to support your pet and alleviate its suffering. I am sure you can sympathize now although your cherished pet do not qualify for your UK Assistance, nor is she eligible for reparations from slavery, as was the case for white UK slave owners until 2015—of course not, as that is only for white humans.

          I believe that now you can certainly imagine showing much more compassion towards your furry Black companions, whom you have chosen to live among?
          • BuzzBvi (03/10/2025, 12:52) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
            So to stay with pets. Let's say you have a Black Dog and a White Cat. The Black Dog cannot get assistance. Nor can the White Cat get assistance as neither have the right to assistance. But you think that the Dog should get assistance. Not because it is a dog but because it is Black. Some how because of slavery the Black Dog should get assistance because black people did not get any money when the White Planters did. Now the White Cat's family were not planters or descendants of planters, or support racism, and thinks reparation ideas have some merit but still the White Cat gets no assistance.

            I wonder if it you that is incapable of showing compassion for regardless of whether they are white or black. Clearly neither are entitled to assistance. If you are going to give the Black Dog assistance because a White Planter got money then you also need to give assistance to the White Cat, because neither the Black Cat or the White Cat, or their descendants got the money the Planters got.

            I personally would not just root for the Black Dog. I would root for the White Cat as well, because better is that being black nor being white should bring entitlement.

            I don't really agree with white entitlement, rich entitlement, class entitlement, political entitlement, Virgin Islander Entitlement, friends and family entitlement or black entitlement. It is usually the road to corruption.

            In this case could we help the black dog. It would be nice. But it would be nice to help the white cat too.

            The law says we help neither and I am good with that and if we want to change the law i am happy with that too. And if we want to behave with compassion to White Cat and the Black Dog I am happy with that too. Discrimination I am not so happy about.



            • @Buzzbvi (04/10/2025, 01:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              It seems that my metaphor has evoked a degree of compassion within you. However, it is important to recognize that the UK permitted retribution taxes on lawfully ‘entitled’ plantation ownership from its citizens until a decade ago, resulting in an ongoing systemic racial bias against black individuals, a fact that cannot be disputed! Western nations are complicit in this wrongdoing, akin to the biblical pharaoh, as they persistently deny compensation to the descendants of African slaves who contributed to their prosperity. Ultimately, the Lord will render judgment on your nation's injustices towards this group, regardless of your agreement.
              • BuzzBvi (04/10/2025, 14:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
                I wasn't a fan of your metaphor and thought it a little insulting to Black people that you thought I should imagine them as as my Pets.
                Black people have a strong history of powerful and influential peoples and nations.
                Complicit Western Nations, interestingly, recently also have had a Black President, the UK has a black leader of the Opposition, a Black Deputy Prime Minister and recently a Prime Minister of Asian descent and many other leading Ministers from interesting backgrounds mixed in the diverse past of the history, sometimes horrific, of the world.

                Some people like to paint situations always as a black and white thing and you appear to be one of those, while you conveniently miss other realities of the dreadful past. Your rightly mention that there is an on going systemic racial bias against black individuals, as there is against "down islanders" in the VI and discrimination is actually written into the constitution of the Virgin Islands. There are many on going systemic biases against many different groups in different places each which their own historical stories. Slavery itself is not simply a story of white on black and itself is a complex web of those very issues.
                You mention compassion but I am not feeling any compassion from you, for any but your self and your own. It is that lack of compassion for, and lack of awareness of others, that I saw in the article and was behind my first post.
                It would be great that the lady could get health care she was not entitled to but white ones are not entitled either and are also refused.
                I am all for the White Dogs and Black Cats and White and Black people getting the treatment to which they are entitled. They should also be entitled to the same thing. I would like that it was better for all.
                It us you that are not for that whilst calling out others for lack of compassion.
                Ultimately you may take time with your Lord to revisit compassion and I hope that your Lord helps you to find a fruitful path.
  • 911 (01/10/2025, 15:28) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    Not surprise here if you black you better go back
  • cap (01/10/2025, 15:41) Like (30) Dislike (4) Reply
    Does a UK citizen get free healthcare in the BVI? Not without becoming registered, paying taxes and contributions, obtaining a work permits etc etc etc. It’s no different when you go to the UK
    • @cap (02/10/2025, 10:05) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      This is why it is imperative for you and those who share your worldview to go back home to your own people. You all are sick individuals! The malevolence in this world has remained unchanged throughout the centuries; it simply gives rise to each generation of children born into darkness, expressing the nature of their father, the devil.
      • cap (02/10/2025, 11:06) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
        Firstly, I am a citizen of the Virgin Islands so your assumption that I am not from here shows your level of ignorance. Second, your language just shows what a tin-hat wearing, conspiracy obsessing individual you are. Religion has nothing to do with common sense, and in this case, the blatant hypocrisy of some people who want independence so badly - yet they want the very colonial masters who they bash, to take care of them and provide free healthcare, disaster relief, protection from corrupt government and the list goes on. People deserve access to decent and affordable healthcare, but it is up to your our government who you elect to provide that.
        • @cap (02/10/2025, 14:05) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
          Whether you are a citizen or not, if you are unable to empathize with the struggles of a people who have suffered economic injustices due to colonialism and its' evils, then you do not belong among them. I will reiterate the sentiment of this blog as it is relevant to you.

          'What manner of heartless individual roams this world to make and/or agree with such a statement? First and foremost, the UK forcibly removed Africans from their homes and enslaved them to enhance their economy, compensated plantation owners through taxes imposed on UK citizens until just recently, refuses to acknowledge their genocide of these individuals, and now, when one of them requires medical care, they demand she return to her home or face penalties for medical fees. If there is not a place in hell set aside for all of you THEN and NOW!'
    • SMC (02/10/2025, 15:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes! they all here scheming the government.
  • BRAD BOYNES (01/10/2025, 15:44) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    now you all se as the song say England is a Bitch.
  • Virgin Islander (01/10/2025, 15:46) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
    They worked us for free left us to die rapes our women killed our men the worst disaster in a 100 years didn't help build us back not even the school for our kids and some of us are talking it is best to be under them how stupid are we it make no sense say we are a Educated society we are now more stupid than our fore fathers they never loved us then and don't now and will never wake up people for you are sleeping
    • @Virgin Islander (02/10/2025, 10:22) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Upon examining various remarks from the blog, I am convinced that your assertion holds true. All individuals who support this wrongdoing are simply Stewart's demoniac subjects, veiled in the pretense of diplomacy and smiles, also termed Euro-trash.
  • Hypocrites! (01/10/2025, 16:00) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    Oh, now you want the UK to support you - hypocrites!!
    • @ hypocrites! (02/10/2025, 10:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      anyone see Hogsbreath and Fatboy here blogging? Insanity.
    • @Hypocrites! (02/10/2025, 10:28) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      No, we just want the UK to Support you....please exit! Who is indeed the hypocrite, WE are supporting you All in Our Home?
  • AOC (01/10/2025, 16:22) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    A lot of people like to criticize the United States - for this, that, and the other thing. And although far from being a perfect country - there's no confusion as to who is a citizen and who is not. On the other hand, I find this UK situation and the British Overseas Territories to be very confusing. And as far as I am concerned - this entire situation needs to be corrected and sorted out. Either the British Overseas Territories are a part of the U.K, and you are one country or they are not and that should be made perfectly clear. Either you become one country or this sort of foolishness will continue. I am deeply sorry to learn of this poor lady's plight. Very sad and totally unescessary and pray that she gets the help and assistance that she so badly needs.
    • Well... (02/10/2025, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Permit me to aid in alleviating your confusion. The UK can offer reparations in medical care, and persons like her would be entitled to seek medical assistance from their government.
  • lmao (01/10/2025, 16:53) Like (39) Dislike (1) Reply
    fighting for "independence" but want the people take care of you. smh
    • @Imao (02/10/2025, 11:07) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      When has the UK ever cared for us?

      Just a bunch of lazy individuals who have enslaved a whole race so they can kick back and sip their tea all day as we labour to sweeten it! We've always been the ones taking care of it, and now its' envious and ungrateful citizens that have come to live in our home. We are the ones who have toiled hard throughout the centuries, and our free labour has guaranteed your people's parasitic survival in this world.

      What really gets to you is that you know this truth, 'that can never be erased'. Across every generation, it will haunt your descendants as a reminder of our people's suffering and death. You and your offspring have inherited a legacy of humanity's racial disgrace. The mental payback of shame can often counterbalance the weight of indignity, especially when it's timeless.
  • Rubber Duck (01/10/2025, 17:04) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    RACE MATTERS
  • Self determination (01/10/2025, 17:14) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    England does NOTHING for the Overseas Territories.
    • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (02/10/2025, 10:06) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Are you saying that the BVI got no help from the UK after Irma? Seems like you have a very short (or impaired) memory....
      • @ACaptitalist (02/10/2025, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
        Irma? Are you really serious at this point? Do you really want us to add up the debt that's owed to us? I can even throw in a discount for the Irma payment if you'd like?
  • Snoppy (01/10/2025, 17:17) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Such BS. I was born & bred in the UK and moved to bvi a while ago. However, I needed some healthcare bvi didn't have so I contacted the UK hospital and they told me that since Im not a resident of the UK, I will have to pay.
    Fair enough I guess...
  • ? (01/10/2025, 17:21) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why would she be eligible for free medical care? She does not contribute to the UK system. Would she be eligible for free health care in the BVI as a fellow BOTC?
    • Comment (02/10/2025, 11:16) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Well, her ancestors have contributed with their life. Debt paid in full.
  • Turn table (01/10/2025, 18:30) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    If a British person was to come here they can't get NHI just by showing up. They need a home and a job too. Hows this different.
  • THE SAME MONEY (01/10/2025, 18:43) Like (46) Dislike (0) Reply
    YOU ALL STUFF IN YOU ALL POCKETS , INSTEAD OF TAKING CARE OF YOUR OWN PEOPLE'S HEALTH , BUT EXPECT THE ENGLANDERS TO TAKE THEIR . MONEY AND TAKE CARE OUR HEALTH PROBLEMS ???????? ) THATS REAL FUNNY ???? * YHIS IS EHERE OUR BLACK A SLAVE MASTERS SUPPOSED VTO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HOLLER OUT LIKE ANDREW TOLD THEM " WE DOH NEED AR-YO MONEY WE GAH WE OWN MONEY " , YO FORGET , OR YOU GOT SELECTIVE AMNESIA ❓️???? HELLLLOOOOO
    • @ THE SAME MONEY (02/10/2025, 07:11) Like (1) Dislike (32) Reply
      At least you did not bring Cindy into this covo calling her wiggie!
  • Curious (01/10/2025, 19:43) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do we cover UK visitors on NHI in BVI?
  • only (01/10/2025, 19:55) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    But if you illegally enter the UK in a dingy and contribute nothing but criminal acts the corrupt UK government will give you all the health care you need, put you up in a hotel, cloth you, feed you, give you a phone ALL at the UK taxpayers expense. Starmer HAS to go.
  • WTF (01/10/2025, 20:04) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We pay tax in the UK? Do we offer British citizens NHI without contributions?
    • for real (02/10/2025, 07:04) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Exactly. You can’t be handing out services for free. That’s just not how it works
      • @For Real (02/10/2025, 14:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        It worked that way for centuries for your people, as we provided 'FREE SERVICE' to you...but you all do set the Rules.
  • sad story (01/10/2025, 20:12) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    The lady should have tried to get her UK passport before she left Montserrat or soon after she reached in the UK. Her relatives should have tried to help her get it. Only Tolians wants to remain under the UK to get knockbout in the end. Such a sad sad story. I hope she get help soon. Dr. Showande help get your ppl outta this mess. I is a island man from an Independent country.
  • resident (01/10/2025, 21:11) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why doesn't she have a u.k passport? Most bvislanders who migrate to the u.k have a u.k passport and have no problem accessing health care. You get your nhs number quite easily and health care is free except for meds. BOTC's are governed differently. Not sure you can get an nhs number without a uk passport. Whoever advised her to go to u.k for medicals without her u.k passport advised her wrong.
  • More to this (01/10/2025, 21:54) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    I understand that the lady is a BOTC and not a British citizen. Does she have a UK passport? It doesn't sound so. If she does not, then no, she is kot entitled to benefits in the system. I have been to UK with and without a UK passoort. With my BOTC passoort I am subject to immigration control. With my Uk passport I have been properly registered into the system, gotten heslthcare at bo cost and even medical home visits. My family has also benefitted from UK healthcare system. Those who had BVI or other passports had to pay. There is more to this that is not published
  • asking for a friend (02/10/2025, 00:57) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    The bvi is a family environment and a very close-knit place why the uk?
  • BRAD BOYNES (02/10/2025, 06:53) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    Do you need more evidence that England is a bitch nation.
  • ? (02/10/2025, 07:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    So wait, you expect an already strained and failing NHS to respond without the person ever paying a single penny in to the pot? Does our NHI pay for overseas belongers who have never applied for NHI and have never paid in to the system? I don’t believe it does.
  • one eye (02/10/2025, 07:10) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What do the majority of Virgin Islanders want?
  • Listen (02/10/2025, 09:05) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The minsrarat government didn't do there part and sent the woman unprepared, unannounced what you expect..typical careless behavior..then blame whitey..pfff.
  • benefits for citizens (02/10/2025, 09:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I will not sit at my keyboard and judge not knowing the 2 sides. Being born in Montserrat, BVI, Bermuda, Turks etc does not make anyone an automatic UK citizens. No where in the article does it state clearly that the lady is a UK citizen. the law is the law everywhere, and not because some of you have beef and want to cut loose of UK for your own personal gain mean that you must be off balance.

    I wish the lady recovery and hope she gets the help she needs
  • Roger Burnett (02/10/2025, 10:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    In terms of humanitarian gestures, the BVI's previous unblemished record was slurred in the early 1990's when, against the advice of two the island's leading doctors, and pleas from governor Penfold, my wife and I and our nine-month-old daughter, were ordered by Immigration to put to sea in the dark. At the time wife was in danger of a miscarriage and we were legitimately anchored in Road Harbour so that I could attend court hearings regarding access to my three children from a previous marriage to a prominent Virgin Islander. As British citizens we had to sail to the USVI for sanctuary.

    This and other associated dastardly acts, are recounted in my book "For the Sake of the Children".
    • @R Burnett (02/10/2025, 12:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Firstly, Mr. Burnett, there exists a deeply psychopathic aspect in your understanding of humanity's injustices. The VI's previously claimed unblemished record was 'NEVER' truly 'unblemished,' as the European overseers have left behind stories that could fill a library with accounts of atrocious cruelty directed at every inhabitant of these lands, including their own, alongside the victims who lie at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean "many babies and pregnant women", who were treated like cargo and forced to endure suffering as slaves.
      • Roger Burnett (02/10/2025, 15:53) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Thank you for your response. To be specific, I should have made it clear that I was referring to the period since the islands achieved autonomy in 1967.
        • @R Burnett (02/10/2025, 21:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          I am not convinced that our island has truly achieved autonomy as of 1967. It seems we are still wrestling with colonialism.

          With the estate now being quite appealing and financially beneficial, the expelled demons from the old houses in the woods have adopted modern strategies to justify their nefarious actions while attempting to malign the descendants of their victims; nevertheless, with God on our side, their end will be more severe.
  • Razr (02/10/2025, 12:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    After all these years of modernization, Black people are still reminded, WHERE THEY STAND, in the Kingdom!

    Couldn't the officials there, pointed the lady to the correct office for Overseas Territories Citizens , to follow up on the correct protocols, for handling their way around the Kingdom systems?

    The whole issue is just heartless!
  • J (02/10/2025, 12:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are a part of the UK whenever the issue pertains to financial services. Otherwise they have little to no interest in what happens here.
  • IVBIVB (06/10/2025, 13:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was born in Tortola but haven’t worked there in 25 years or so. Now, when I go home and need a doctor for myself or my children (who are also VI passport holders) we pay the full price - no NHI for us because we have never contributed to it. I don’t understand what the issue of skin colour has to do with any of this!


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