Published: 15 August 2024
Research from the migrant health group at City St George’s, University of London has provided critical insight into the British Red Cross’s report, Delivering with Dignity, which provides a framework to strengthen health and care systems for people seeking asylum.
The British Red Cross has found that some people who arrived to claim asylum have struggled to get basic medical support, do not understand the role of a GP or when to call 999.
Today’s launch of the new framework is aimed to help GPs, health workers, charities and local authorities work together to ensure everyone who arrives to seek asylum is getting the healthcare they need.
The research was produced in collaboration with researchers from the charity and people with lived experience of seeking asylum.
Collaborative research
“We know that asylum seekers and refugees arriving in England face a myriad of barriers to accessing the healthcare they need. However, many of these barriers are preventable. This collaborative research, which brings together the voices of people with lived experience of the asylum system as well as healthcare commissioners, providers and policymakers, provides practical guidance on improving healthcare access as well as highlighting the ‘pockets of excellence’ that already exist around the country. As such, this report can serve as a guide for policymakers and healthcare providers to improve healthcare provision for this crucial group.”
- Migrant health research group, Infection and Immunity Research Institute at City St George’s -
The framework is designed to prevent these vulnerable people from missing out on vital check-ups and treatment. It contains simple, practical recommendations, such as providing translated information sheets and trauma-informed training for healthcare staff – measures which would mean that all those who seek safety in England can live in dignity and support.
Driving meaningful change
Isra Al-Sharabi, a peer researcher on the report, said: "Healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet asylum seekers often face significant barriers to accessing it. This work is vital in addressing these challenges from multiple angles, providing practical solutions, and highlighting successful models that demonstrate the possibility of closing the health inequality gap. By amplifying the voices of those who need and deliver these services, we can drive meaningful change in healthcare access."
Read the Delivering with Dignity report here