This week’s blog is part of our Black History Month 2025 series on highlighting Black lives caught between colonial ties and an increasingly hostile environment that has impacted their access to healthcare in the UK. In this blog we are sharing Tharel Thompson’s experience, a young man who was stabbed whilst on holiday from Barbados. In addition to the personal trauma and emotional toll on him and his family, they are facing delays in care and repatriation due to a mounting medical bill from the NHS.
It was on the 11th February 2024 when 29 year old’s Tharel Thompson’s life changed in a flash when he was near-fatally injured in a random knife attack. He was stabbed in his head at the Walkabout Sports Bar in Wiston Terrace Reading, Berkshire, whilst on holiday in the UK just four days after his arrival whilst visiting family.
The vicious and unprovoked attack took place in the bathroom of Walkabout Sports Bar, by a British military solider. Tharel’s attacker Krisma Anthony, a 23-year-old man, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the attempted murder. Anthony’s co-defendant, Jahlil Charles, was acquitted of both charges.
The injuries Tharel sustained resulted in his medical bills reaching over £150,000. It was in August 2025 when Tharel Thompson gave us glimpse into the journey he has endured. He is recovering from the life-threatening injuries which have left him with limited mobility on his left side and brain swelling. He requires round the clock care and more surgery including a titanium plate to replace a piece of his skull and protect his brain.
His uncle Andrew Beckles setup a GoFundMe page with an initial target of £11,000, however with mounting healthcare costs it has been increased £200,000. His Mother has resorted to selling majority of her belongings to contribute to the costs. The Caribbean community in the UK, continues to spread awareness and to support fundraising. The costs for the necessary medical treatment remain and Tharel’s family is actively fundraising to support his care and enable him to fly safely back home to Barbados.
Despite being from Barbados, which is part of the Commonwealth, he is not entitled to free treatment on the NHS and he did not have private health insurance and a significant financial cost has arisen. Until 31st October 2016, there was a reciprocal healthcare agreement between England and Barbados which has now ended.
Support Tharel Thompson
Every donation helps. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Source: https://gofund.me/834b09128
This agreement allowed Barbadians traveling to the UK to access free health services under the National Health Service (NHS). Once the agreement ended, Barbadians visiting the UK were required to pay for their medical bills. The agreement also affected British visitors to Barbados, who were no longer eligible for free health services. Therefore, it is now important to have international health insurance.
As an independent Commonwealth nation with a relatively stable public healthcare system, Barbados was able to enter into a bilateral agreement with the UK. In contrast, many other Caribbean islands may not have had the infrastructure or did not negotiate formal agreements. Additionally, the UK ended several reciprocal agreements with non‑EU countries on 31 December 2015 most of which were mostly European. Despite the British colonising over 15 islands in the Caribbean, Barbados was the only island that had a reciprocal arrangement despite seeking independence in 1966.
The UK government has a list of UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries and British citizens are encouraged to look at it before travelling and put in arrangements. There are only four Caribbean islands/territories on the list: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands. Many of us have not considered having additional health insurance alongside travel insurance when we are visiting relatives and Tharel’s experience highlights that it is worth having. To find out more about insurance arrangements when travelling abroad please visit here. Thankfully, Tharel is making good progress, we wish him well on his journey. If you want to support Tharel, please donate to the official GoFundMe page that his family have created.
If you have been affected by any of the subject matter in this blog please contact:
Victim Support – Free, confidential emotional and practical support for anyone affected by crime or trauma, including victims and witnesses
📞 Helpline (24/7): 08 08 16 89 111
🌐 http://www.victimsupport.org.uk
💬 Live Chat: Available daily on their website
Black Minds Matter UK – Therapy and mental health support by Black therapists
🌐 http://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) – Directory of therapists from minoritised backgrounds
🌐 http://www.baatn.org.uk
culturedhealthpartners.co.uk 
Leave a comment