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The Effects of Immigration on NHS Waiting Times

Author

Listed:
  • Osea Giuntella

    (University of Pittsburgh, IZA)

  • Catia Nicodemo

    (University of Oxford, CHSEO, IZA)

  • Carlos Vargas Silva

    (University of Oxford, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS))

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of immigration on waiting times for the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Linking administrative records from Hospital Episode Statistics (2003-2012) with immigration data drawn from the UK Labour Force Survey, we find that immigration reduced waiting times for outpatient referrals and did not have significant effects on waiting times in accident and emergency departments (A&E) and elective care. The reduction in outpatient waiting times can be explained by the fact that immigration increases natives’ internal mobility and that immigrants tend to be healthier than natives who move to different areas. Conversely, we observe higher outpatient waiting times in places to which native internal migrants have moved. Finally, we find evidence that immigration increased waiting times for outpatient referrals in more deprived areas outside of London. The increase in average waiting times in more deprived areas is concentrated in the years immediately following the 2004 EU enlargement and disappears in the medium term (e.g., 3 to 4 years).

Suggested Citation

  • Osea Giuntella & Catia Nicodemo & Carlos Vargas Silva, 2017. "The Effects of Immigration on NHS Waiting Times," Working Papers XREAP2017-13, Xarxa de Referència en Economia Aplicada (XREAP), revised Dec 2017.
    • Handle: RePEc:xrp:wpaper:xreap2017-13
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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