Health of asylum seekers and refugees placed in a Reading hotel during the pandemic

Healthwatch Reading have reported on whether the health and wellbeing needs of asylum seekers and refugees were met during lockdown.

Around 80 asylum seekers/refugees were housed in a hotel in Reading as part of the Home Office’s pandemic response. 43 of them took the time to speak to Healthwatch.

Key Findings:

• Many of the people had been living in the hotel since March, after being moved by the Home Office from accommodation in 8 other UK cities or towns, mainly London. Being moved from other parts of the UK had sometimes caused unsafe breaks in usual medication or ongoing treatment e.g. insulin.
• People who spoke to Healthwatch were mostly experiencing dental, pain, insomnia or mental health problems
• A Home Office weekly allowance had been stopped for some, preventing them from buying over-the-counter medication, preferred food, and mobile phone credit
• A mass registration with a local GP surgery only took place approximately 16 weeks after first arrival, but 57% are believed to still not be signed up with a local GP, and their access to free NHS prescriptions and dental care had been delayed in many cases
• Information-sharing between statutory services had been delayed or inadequate, preventing full understanding on who had arrived and left the hotel, and their needs
• Local charities have been filling the gaps to provide support, visits, advice, advocacy and interpretation. Hotel staff also unofficially provide pastoral care.

Healthwatch Reading are recommending a more cohesive approach to meeting the needs of people living in temporary accommodation due to the pandemic.