Croydon vulnerable migrants’ experiences of health and care services

Healthwatch Croydon was commissioned by the Care Quality Commission to explore views and experience of vulnerable migrants to support their work. They undertook 12 interviews and 46 surveys with a range of vulnerable migrants from 24 countries as varied as Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago. Some are fleeing political or religious persecution, while others domestic violence or gang warfare. All are staying in migrant accommodation in the borough of Croydon seeking refuge until their immigrant status is confirmed. Most had been here less than a year but nearly a third had been here a year or longer.

The vulnerable migrants who took part in the research arrived in the UK from a diverse range of countries, with most fleeing political, religious, or ethnic persecution or war. However, some are also fleeing criminal activity such as gang warfare and domestic violence. A small number also came in search of work or study and then were stranded in the UK. There was a range of time they had been here from just a few months to over 2 years. 

GP services were most heavily used, with Rainbow Health Centre which is a dedicated GP service for homeless and asylum seekers being used the most. Other services included accident and emergency, hospital outpatients, mental health services and dentistry. Most are happy with the services they have received, particularly with GPs, but were less satisfied with services beyond primary care such as waiting for hospital services and specialists and also access to dentistry. There was a sense by some of a lack of understanding about mental health needs and difficulties in accessing the appropriate medication. Those accessing emergency services have long waits. Some of these issues are similar to long-term resident experiences, so are not unique to vulnerable migrants.

Very few vulnerable migrants had heard of the Care Quality Commission with some confusing the organisation with those who manage the building or support their health needs, rather than quality of care services. 

 Most found it easy to register with a GP but most had used Rainbow Health Centre which is dedicated to vulnerable migrants. Very few had heard about Safe Surgeries which is a GP-led initiative to support vulnerable migrants. There were a few that registered successfully at other surgeries. Suggested improvements were about accessing services quicker and better understanding of the process of getting care beyond a GP as well as support for mental health issues.