Discovering and understanding under-served communities

People who are refugees or seeking asylum

A person is defined as being a refugee when they are “unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion".

Whereas a refugee has had their claim for safe haven accepted by the government, a person is an asylum seeker when they are applying for protection.

Your day-to-day interactions can be one way of assessing an individual's knowledge of NHS health services and their medicine needs.

As part of engaging individuals, download the factsheet ‘Introduction to the National Health Service’ which is available in different languages from the Department of Health website. The website link is available in the resources section.

Please Note: Undertaking the Medicines Use Review in a consultation room and asking people to sign a consent form may worry people who are refugees or seeking asylum. You will need to reflect carefully on your approach and build trust so the patient fully understands why you have asked them to participate and how the review will benefit them.

  1. Bradby H. et al.(2015) Public health aspects of migrant health: a review of the evidence on health status for refugees and asylum seekers in the European Region. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.
  2. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2010) Convention and protocol relating to the status of refugees. Geneva.
Select which of the following statements are true or false?
Refugees in England have poorer health compared with the general population. Rates of mental health problems are reported to be up to 5 times higher.
Correct - It is true - Refugees in England have poorer health compared with the general population. Rates of mental health problems are reported to be up to 5 times higher.
Incorrect - It is true - Refugees in England have poorer health compared with the general population. Rates of mental health problems are reported to be up to 5 times higher.
Asylum seekers are entitled to access NHS care without charge while their claim or appeal are being considered.
Correct - Asylum seekers are entitled to access NHS care without charge while their claim or appeal are being considered.
Incorrect - Asylum seekers are entitled to access NHS care without charge while their claim or appeal are being considered.
What are the barriers to appropriate health care?

Can you list in 200 characters or less, 2 barriers that refugees or asylum seekers face when accessing health care?

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