NHS bill for £21K because father died on tourist visit.

Hi… can’t think of anywhere else to post this. My client was born in Fiji, joined UK army and now has British citizenship. His father comes over to visit him on a tourist visa, falls ill and is placed into intensive care but sadly dies. The NHS have not billed the deceased’s estate but have billed the son directly for £21,000 of care costs.
Can they do this ??

Here’s what Citizens Advice adviceguide says about NHS charges for people from abroad NHS charges for people from abroad

This is the link to the NHS leaflet:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074379

It is reported as up to date as at May 2012.

However I cannot see why your client rather than his father’s estate is being billed for it. Did he give any undertaking to be responsible for the costs? It looks as if the patient will normally be the person who pays.