We ask our readers their opinion on topical issues. This week's question: Should migrant workers be charged for NHS care?

The clue is in the title here – workers. Those working and paying tax contribute towards the NHS and should be able to use it. I take umbrage with those who abuse the NHS – ‘health tourism’ as it’s known. Someone living and working here is not on holiday looking for free health care – they are doing a job and they pay tax. To do that job and continue to pay tax they need to stay healthy, so may need to access the NHS occasionally.

Rachel Kent, mental health nurse, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London

By providing free health care for all, the NHS is an almost entirely unique set-up. Including a few more people in it may seem like a drop in the ocean, but the NHS is already stretched to capacity. We are required to get health insurance when we travel, so it is reasonable to expect others to do the same when coming here. There has to be a process so people from overseas can pay for health care.

Daniel Athey, charge nurse, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Migrant workers pay tax and national insurance so why should they be charged for their health on top? That is unfair. NHS services are stretched, but this is due to years of bad planning – or no planning at all – not migration. Migrant workers should not be scapegoats for poor healthcare planning. Would we deny migrants treatment until they paid for it? If I wanted to do this I would work in an American hospital, and I do not want to.

Drew Payne, community nurse, north London

The NHS is sinking, and the regulations on who can use it do need to be tightened. Overseas visitors should contribute to the cost of their care, but migrant workers who have lived and worked here for years should be able to use it free of charge. It would be a fairer proposition to charge the indigenous population who choose to become unhealthy and need to be more accountable for their wellbeing.

Mark Pittman, emergency nurse practitioner, Southmead Hospital, Bristol

And now over to you - what do you think? Do you agree or disagree with our panel? Let us know your views by commenting below.