The entitlement to health care is not affected in law for refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection but in practice there can be difficulties. Although not required in law, registering with a GP practice for primary care often asks for proof of address; if a refugee has moved from asylum support accommodation it may be difficult to obtain this.[1]
Specialist medical support for refugees is patchy; waiting list for mental health services for the population in general in England in particular can be long.[2] The issues in practice are very similar for refugees to those faced by asylum applicants, despite the difference in status (see Reception conditions – Healthcare).
The Advocacy Forum, a group of Refugee led Community Organisations supported by the Refugee Council, published research in 2022 examining the barriers to integration by refugees and people seeking asylum living in London. Refugees reported challenges in integration in areas of employment and housing in particular and many were experiencing mental ill health and worryingly, not accessing appropriate treatment.[3]
A 2024 report found that barriers faced by asylum applicants in accessing healthcare in England included a lack of translation services and difficulty in communicating with staff, lack of understanding of entitlements, digital exclusion, discrimination, destitution and a lack of guidance on how to navigate healthcare services.[4]
[1] Healthwatch, ‘Registering with your GP: understanding your rights’, 4 October 2023, available here.
[2] National Audit Office, Progress in improving mental health services in England, 9 February 2023, available here.
[3] Refugee Council, ‘Going Full Circle: The primary needs and experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum living in London’, July 2022, available here.
[4] British Red Cross and St George’s Hospital Migrant Health Research Group, ‘Delivering with dignity: A framework for strengthening commissioning and provision of healthcare services for people seeking asylum’, August 2024, available here.