Accessing health and social care services: Somali communities

Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire wanted to understand different groups’ access to and experience of healthcare.  They attended a Somali women’s group which nine women attended.

The group found it difficult to get GP and dentist appointments and interpreters were not provided. The women couldn’t afford private care.

Women also experienced problems with maternity care.  A woman who had had FGM wanted a caesarean section, but details about the FGM wasn’t included in her notes and wasn’t communicated to staff.

The majority of the group felt the quality of care received at health and social care services was low because of a lack of interpreter's, being treated differently to others that could speak good English and the availability of appointments.