Access to healthcare for migrants and the NHS

The Opening panel chaired by Marie Gabriel of NHS East London and the City welcomed delegates and provided an overview of current barriers to accessing health services faced by migrant communities.

Key note speakers Dr Ike Anya and Dr Paramjit Gill highlighted how the value of “universal access” on which the National Health Service is based must take in to account everyone within the UK. Exclusion of certain categories of people could lead to public health risks and increase health inequalities. Dr Anya supported the idea that by treating all parts of the population as equal a universal health service can promote social cohesion.

An ideas sharing platform followed the opening panel in the format of a themed World café session. Ten guest speakers facilitated short discussions on the following topics and projects:

• Building partnerships with Migrant Communities Gabriela Smolinska-Poffley (Roma Support Group)

• How to engage communities through new media Jan Brulc (Migrants’ Rights Network)

• Project focus: Migrant Health Guide training Karen Wagner (Health Protection Agency)

• Migrant women and maternal healthcare Rosalind Bragg (Maternity Action)

• Mental health needs within migrant communities Marcel Vige (Mind)

• Project focus: Transitional Primary Care Team Sue Reid (NHS East London and the City)

• Barriers to health for Migrant Women Hiranthi Jayaweera (COMPAS)

• Practical difficulties for migrant communities Fizza Qureshi (Doctors of the World UK)

• The communication barrier Tatiana Tomoeva (Praxis)

• HIEC Migrant Health Initiative Dr Arvind Bharwaj and Dr Keith Mcdonald (NECLES HIEC)

The afternoon Masterclasses with Dr Kambiz Boomla of Tower Hamlets, Mark Leach of NHS East London and the City and Professor Paul Corrigan CBE, provided a practical guide on entitlement and eligibility to NHS services for migrant communities, the lessons learned from initiatives in Newham and the challenges to GPs when commissioning services.

The question time panel chaired by Don Flynn from MRN concluded the conference with Dr Evan Harris, Dr Angela Burnett, Dr Kambiz Boomla and Dr Yusef Azad debating on current and new legislation affecting access including concerns around data sharing and charging for services.

The breaks were also complimented by a viral theatre performance which explored the themes connected with the migrant experience from information gathered through interviews with migrants and health professionals.

Further information and summary report of the conference (including presentation materials) will be available at www.health4migrants.info in the coming weeks.