The treatment of asylum seekers in this country is entirely inappropriate, and in many cases inhumane. Both vote-hungry politicians and a targeted media campaign fuel the demonization of asylum seekers- and there is no sector in which this is more apparent than healthcare.
When I think about asylum seekers and health there are two main issues that concern me; access to care and continuity of care.
Detention centres are required by law to provide primary health care to their detainees. Secondary services are the responsibility of the local NHS trust.
Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre, an all-male detention centre near Oxford, is managed by GEO (Global Experts in Outsourcing), a private company who subcontract primary healthcare to a local GP practice. One GP from this practice described his frustration when trying to treat patients. "They never know how long they'll be there" he said, "I'm sometimes treating people with really quite severe illnesses including HIV, leprosy, TB, torture injuries and STDs, but I find myself reluctant to make referrals because without warning they'll be sent to another detention center or deported."
Despite his lack of knowledge about immigration statistics ("We can't have them flocking in. Rules are rules"), this GP gave the impression he was trying his best. In spite of his efforts, other independent doctors have felt the need to start up a local Medical Justice group.
Medical Justice provides independent medical and legal advice to detainees in immigration removal centres. I have made a referral to them for a detainee who had been beaten up at another removal centre, which had necessitated an operation on his head. He was suffering profound retrograde amnesia, constant headaches, loss of hearing and had even collapsed on two occasions. The detention centre had issued only simple analgesics (painkillers) and sleeping tablets. The Medical Justice doctor referred him for a scan and specialist attention, but on enquiry weeks later, found the referral had never been received by the hospital. The saga continues, but I feel justified in saying this man has not received treatment "equivalent to NHS care", to which he is entitled. I have met countless detainees with similar experiences, and heard of many more
Doctors have an advocacy role in the healthcare of asylum seekers that I would encourage them to take incredibly seriously. I would encourage those who visit detainees to ask about their physical and mental health, and not to be afraid to kick up a fuss if they are not receiving appropriate care.
