Trusted by NHS Trusts and private healthcare organisations across the UK, we specialise in compliant, efficient medical debt recovery — including overseas patient billing and complex arrears.

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Professional NHS and Private Healthcare Debt Collection Services Across the UK

At Legal Recoveries & Collections Ltd (LRC), we specialise in healthcare debt recovery services tailored to NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers, and medical institutions throughout the UK. With decades of experience, we help healthcare organisations recover unpaid invoices, overseas visitor charges, and other medical debts — ethically, efficiently, and in full compliance with UK regulations.

A Trusted Partner in Healthcare Debt Recovery

We’re proud to be a trusted debt recovery partner for many NHS Trusts and private clinics. Our in-depth understanding of the healthcare sector allows us to offer a bespoke and sensitive approach to recovering:

  • Private patient invoices – Comprehensive recovery of outstanding bills from private healthcare services.
  • NHS Trust debts – Assistance with overdue charges, service fees, and non-payment cases.
  • Overseas patient debt – Recovery of payments from patients who return abroad after treatment in the UK.
  • Employer-funded health plans – Collections for workplace medical benefit schemes.
  • Prescription and treatment debts – Recovery of unpaid prescriptions and outpatient costs.
  • Historic debts – Efficient recovery of older balances through legally compliant procedures.
  • Complex multi-party claims – Including insurance-related and third-party medical liabilities.

Our expert team helps healthcare providers navigate these complexities while safeguarding patient relationships and complying with all NHS, GDPR, and CSA regulations.

Salary Overpayments in Healthcare

In addition to unpaid treatment costs, we regularly assist NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers with the recovery of salary overpayments. Whether due to administrative oversight, system error, or contractual changes, reclaiming overpaid salaries can be a sensitive issue – particularly when dealing with current or former employees.

At Legal Recoveries & Collections, we ensure a compliant and empathetic approach, helping healthcare providers:
  • Engage professionally with individuals to recover overpaid wages
  • Set up fair and manageable repayment plans where appropriate
  • Avoid internal resource strain by outsourcing complex recovery matters
  • Protect reputation and maintain regulatory standards throughout the process

Our Healthcare Debt Recovery Process

Our structured approach to healthcare debt recovery has been refined over two decades to ensure transparency, compliance, and results:

Pre-Legal Collections

We start with a 30–90 day pre-legal cycle including letters, emails, calls, and SMS. This soft collection phase aims to secure payment without the need for litigation. Our online Debt Manager portal ensures full visibility for your organisation throughout the process.

End of Collections

If the debt remains unpaid, we assess its legal viability. If suitable for escalation, we may issue a final letter before action and proceed to claim. Where legal action is not suitable (e.g., statute-barred debt), we advise accordingly.

Legal Proceedings

Upon instruction, we initiate court claims for qualifying debts. This includes issuing legal papers, assessing evidence, and representing you in court if necessary. We manage all costs transparently, with no hidden fees.

Enforcement Action

Once a judgment is secured, we take action via court-approved enforcement officers. This may include charging orders, High Court enforcement, or deductions — always with full legal compliance.

Why Partner with Legal Recoveries & Collections?

We provide a dedicated healthcare collections team with decades of experience working with NHS Trusts and private medical providers. Our strategic, ethical approach protects your brand reputation while maximising recovery rates.

What you’ll gain:

  • A single point of contact with a dedicated Debt Manager
  • Real-time updates via our secure online portal
  • High success rates and full regulatory compliance
  • A partner who understands NHS procurement and process workflows

Whether you’re a hospital in Nottingham, a clinic in London, or a Trust in Birmingham, we have the experience and scale to support your organisation.

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Featured Customer Reviews

North East Ambulance Service

As an NHS ambulance Trust, we don’t have in-house debt collection specialists, so find it difficult to pursue monies outstanding once our usual follow up process runs its course. LRC was recommended to us by another local NHS Trust and we approached them to find out what they could offer. We have been using LRC for nearly 3 years now and have not been disappointed. Our collection rate is circa 70% which represents a significant sum of money that is coming back into the NHS for patient care.

The team are very knowledgeable on the best route to recovery but will also advise when its just not financially viable to pursue a debt any longer. We have regular updates and meetings with Andrea the client services manager so everything is kept on track. It’s always our decision but LRC give us the best tools to make the right one.

James Paget University Hospitals

We have worked with LRC for about 9 years now and throughout this time they have provided us with good customer service and are always prepared to go that extra mile. Their recent gaining of ‘law firm’ status enables them to now handle the entire debt recovery process for us from pre-legal collections, through to legal proceedings and enforcement therefore ensuring continuity.

Royal Veterinary College

It is always possible to get hold of a person to discuss a particular case. Our Staff have found LRC employees to be helpful, friendly and quick to respond to any queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of healthcare debts does Legal Recoveries & Collections recover?

Legal Recoveries & Collections recovers a wide variety of healthcare debts including unpaid bills from private patients, debts from overseas visitors to the UK, salary and overpayment recoveries for NHS and private healthcare staff, unpaid NHS prescription charges, and commercial debts within healthcare organisations. This comprehensive coverage ensures that all common sources of healthcare sector debt are managed professionally and sensitively, reflecting the complex nature of healthcare finances.

How does healthcare debt recovery differ from general commercial debt recovery?

Healthcare debt recovery often requires a more sensitive and careful approach due to the nature of the services involved and the patient relationship. Debts may arise from essential medical treatment or specialist services, so maintaining goodwill and compliance with data protection and healthcare-specific regulations is critical. Legal Recoveries & Collections uses sector expertise to balance effective recovery with discretion and regulatory compliance, helping healthcare organisations protect revenue without damaging patient trust.

Can Legal Recoveries & Collections recover debts from overseas visitors to the UK healthcare system?

Yes. LRC has expertise in recovering healthcare debts from overseas visitors who have used NHS or private healthcare services in the UK, regardless of whether they have returned to their home countries. This involves dealing with international legal frameworks and data-sharing considerations to trace and recover outstanding payments effectively, making sure healthcare providers are not left out of pocket due to patient mobility.

What is involved in recovering salary overpayments in healthcare settings?

Salary overpayment recovery requires careful management due to employment law considerations and staff relations. LRC works closely with healthcare employers to identify overpayments in salaries, sick pay, or holiday pay, then communicates professionally with affected employees to agree upon repayment plans where appropriate. This process safeguards employer interests while ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and minimizing friction within the workforce.

How do you recover unpaid NHS prescription charges?

Unpaid NHS prescription charges are a common form of healthcare debt. Legal Recoveries & Collections applies specific recovery methods compliant with NHS guidelines and health regulations. This may include sending reminders, negotiating payment plans, and escalating to legal recovery only when necessary, always maintaining ethical standards and respect for patients’ circumstances.

What challenges are unique to healthcare debt recovery?

Healthcare debt recovery faces challenges such as complex billing structures involving NHS and private services, sensitive patient data restrictions, the need for compliance with strict healthcare and data protection laws, and the potential impact on patient relationships. Legal Recoveries & Collections navigates these challenges with bespoke strategies that respect confidentiality, legal compliance, and the nuances of healthcare finance.

How does LRC ensure compliance with UK healthcare and debt recovery regulations?

LRC adheres strictly to UK debt recovery laws, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidelines, the Data Protection Act 2018, and NHS-specific policies. The agency ensures all communications and recovery attempts are fair, non-threatening, and compliant with regulatory standards. Regular staff training and audit processes help maintain ethical and legal standards throughout the healthcare debt recovery process.

Can Legal Recoveries & Collections help improve the cash flow of healthcare providers?

Yes. By efficiently recovering unpaid healthcare debts while minimising administrative burden on healthcare organisations, LRC helps improve cash flow and financial stability. Prompt debt recovery supports better budgeting and resource allocation, ensuring healthcare providers can continue delivering high-quality patient care without unnecessary financial strain.

How quickly can healthcare debts be recovered?

Recovery timelines vary depending on the type of debt, debtor responsiveness, and complexity of cases. Pre-legal efforts such as reminders typically yield faster results, while formal legal proceedings and enforcement can take longer. Legal Recoveries & Collections keeps clients informed of progress and tailors strategies to expedite recovery wherever possible.

How sensitive is the recovery process when dealing with healthcare debts?

Extremely sensitive. Healthcare debt recovery recognises the need to treat patients and staff with respect and care, avoiding any distress or reputational damage. LRC customises communication tone and channels appropriately and prioritises preserving patient and staff relationships throughout the recovery journey, reflecting the unique sensitivities within healthcare environments.

Get in Touch with Us

If you have any questions about our service or would like to discuss your matters with us in greater detail, please contact the Business Development Team on 0330 024 6342