The British Medical Association (BMA) has been consistently critical of the charging policy, arguing that it deters vulnerable groups from accessing necessary healthcare while diverting NHS staff time away from patient care.

Patients like Beni, who asked the BBC to change his name, say it can be devastating.

A disabled man applying for UK residency, Beni was pursued for £495 after attending two hospital appointments for a prosthetic leg fitting by a London hospital trust.

“It was a horrible experience or negative experience because the hospital was very rude with me and more aggressive with me even though I’m disabled and I needed some help,” he told the BBC.

“I felt like I’m a negative person here, because I cannot do anything. Cannot work, I cannot do nothing.

“They charged me £495 just for checking, and it was very expensive for me because at that time I couldn’t work and I didn’t have any income.

“So, I tried to pay it monthly for a long time until I can finish it.”