Agenda item

The presentation from Anne James, Commissioning Manager Refugees with her colleagues Anne Gachango from Haven, and David Barclay provided the Board with oversight of the key issues of inclusion and accessibility experienced by migrants & asylum seekers & refugees.

The following was highlighted from the presentation that is available online.

a.      Provided an explanation on how migrants engage with the health service and the hurdles they face.

b.      That a number of refugees had been resettled in the UK to support serious health issues; that they spoke little English; that many were illiterate so translating papers into their own language may not be as beneficial as officials believe; explained the role of the Haven to advocate on behalf of those accessing the health service; that post-traumatic stress was prevalent amongst their clients; that they represented those children who travelled on their own to the UK.

c.       An explanation was given on the impact of those receiving letters demanding payments for services delivered by the NHS and the impact on their well-being.  That this has given rise to a number of migrants in fear of using NHS service.

d.      The Board was asked to consider the recommendation outlined in the report on ways to improve information, to review how charging is delivered and to consider funding to ensure equal access to services.

The following was noted from the discussion:

e.      The Chair thanked the team for the report and noted the request for a working group to be established to progress the recommendations.

f.        David Jarrett – hoped to take the presentation to our organisation and meet with the right representatives from the CCG to address the questions & asks highlighted in the presentation.

g.       Cllr Craig –  a time limited task and finish group had been established but the presentation demonstrated the need for it to continue its remit but with public health partners participation; that Covid19 conversations would be adapted to target refugee and asylum seekers community.

h.      Action: Janet Rowse agreed to note the request and follow it through.

i.        Action.  Tim Keen advised said there were regulations on charging to be followed and acknowledged that presentation raised some areas where there could be improvements for identifying chargeable patients. In addition, he indicated that he could facilitate a conversation about whether more data sharing  could help improve the system. Councillor Asher Craig stated that the need to better identify the status of patients and distinguishing those who are travelling just for free health care.

j.        The following comment was fed into the discussion from Beth Wilson of Refugee Rights commented on the report recommendations:

k.       We would agree with the recommendations in the report and suggest that they should go further to include:

                                i.            Publicity (in different languages) about the rules around not charging for Covid treatment;

                               ii.            Improved, compulsory training for all involved in gatekeeping and charging to ensure they are applying the rules correctly and appropriately;

                             iii.            Translated information to be provided with bills/invoices about how to access assistance to: understand the bill, why you have been charged, and how you can arrange a payment plan.  This assistance should be provided free of charge and provision should include referral on for advice and assistance to challenge a bill where individual's think they have been incorrectly charged

The Board Resolved:

·       To endorse the report

·       To take the action noted above to progress the recommendations