Health services in Britain are divided into primary and secondary care services. Primary care refers to general practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, opticians and walk-in health services. Secondary care refers to NHS hospital trusts, mental health trusts and other specialist services which require referral from a primary care practitioner. Refugees and asylum seekers are entitled to access all these services and are entitled to see GPs and hospital doctors free of charge. Those with refugee status or exceptional leave to remain (ELR) have the same rights to free services as British citizens. Asylum seekers, who are not entitled to benefits, may still get assistance with the cost of services such as NHS dental treatment.

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How the NHS works

The National Health Service site offers a simple guide to the structure of the NHS, it explains the delivery of care by different sectors of the health service such as primary care trusts and NHS hospital trusts.

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How the NHS works

For a list of primary care trusts in your area, go to:

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Dept of Health

Entitlement to primary and secondary care services

This is the latest entitlement table (Jan 05).

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HMSO:

Entitlement to secondary care services

Asylum applicants and those with refugee status, or ELR/ELE have free access to NHS accident and emergency, maternity and in-patient/out-patient services.Regulations covering charges to overseas visitors for NHS hospital treatment are the Statutory Instrument 1989 No. 306, Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 602, NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors Amendment regulations 1991 No. 438) and NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors regulations 1994 No. 1535).

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Refugee Council:

Support and entitlement

The Refugee Council outlines the entitlement of refugees and asylum seekers to primary and secondary health care services and to assistance with the cost of those services. They also list key information sources and contacts regarding health care provision for refugees.

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Refugee Council:

Community care services

Provides information for community care services

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Health Matters:

The Need for Understanding

Charles Watters, 2003

Watters argues that mental health service providers should develop a more holistic approach to the care of refugees and asylum seekers.

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Royal College of Psychiatrists:

Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Mental Health Services in the UK

Updated 2006

This position statement of the Transcultural Special Interest Group at the Royal College of Psychiatrists explores the difficulties refugees face in accessing mental health services, due to lack of awareness about entitlement to welfare and uncertainty when dealing with officialdom. It is possible, it concludes, that refugees may find current services inappropriate to their needs.

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NHS/Dept of Health:

Meeting the Health Needs of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the UK

Angela Burnett and Yohannes Fassil, 2002

This comprehensive resource pack for health care workers includes information on refugees, eligibility for healthcare services, how to access services such as GPs and local resources available.

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Medical Foundation:

Guide to Health Workers Providing Care for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Angela Burnett, 2002

This briefing for the Medical Foundation includes a section on the legal rights of refugees to healthcare. Link on page 2.

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