The National Council of Barbadian Associations UK has called for the NHS to waive their fees after Barbadian national Tharel Thompson was stabbed whilst on holiday. 

The incident occurred at 2:04 am on Sunday February 11 2024 at the Walkabout Bar, Wiston Terrace, Reading, where he was stabbed in the head multiple times. 

Chair of the National Council of Barbadian Associations UK (NCBA UK) Ms Sherry Maxwell stated “On being informed by the Barbados High Commission of the incident, the NCBA UK immediately went into action to offer support to the family and to assist the community in their fund-raising efforts.

"We will continue to give support for as long as it is required. The NCBA UK has sent letters to the local Parliamentarians of Reading and Oxford to ask for assistance in this matter.

"Barbados and Friends Association (Reading) and Alleyne School Alumni Association UK, both members of the NCBA UK, have been active in giving support locally."

She said as concerned UK citizens they believe that the UK Government should have a duty of care for foreign visitors.

Ms Maxwell said that in instances where injury has occurred due to violent crime, considering that the injuries are so severe that the victim cannot travel back to their home country for treatment, and considering the significant contribution to our economy by foreign visitors, they believe that the NHS costs should be waved for emergency NHS treatments.

She continued: "On a humanitarian level, just imagine a young man who was excited to visit our nation and to experience the arts and culture only to become a victim of a heinous crime.

"He was not here to drain the UK of resources. Just imagine a mother having to travel to the UK to be at the side of her only son and watch him fight for his life.

"Now imagine the increased trauma she suffered on receiving a bill from the NHS of £160k, knowing that the charges will most probably increase and having no knowledge of how the bill will be paid."

Ms Maxwell said that she is extremely proud of the Barbadian and Friends community who have done so much to support the family.

"I thank the community so much for their efforts and I urge them to continue fundraising. I thank the Healthcare Professionals at The John Radcliffe Hospital and The Royal Berkshire Hospital for all of their efforts to save Tharel’s life."

The National Council of Barbadian Associations UK (NCBA) is an umbrella group, comprising of Associations of Barbadian origin across the UK.