Primary care needs of refugees, Oxfordshire

A study on the experiences of service users and service providers

This study was carried out on behalf of the Oxford-based charity Refugee Resource from January to June 2016 funded and supported by Healthwatch Oxfordshire. Information gathered : through interviews, focus groups and the administration of questionnaires with 3 groups of respondents - service users, service providers and voluntary sector organisation staff and volunteers.

Methodology used in the study: questionnaires by email, face-to-face and telephone interviews (with signed consent) semi-structured, primarily qualitative and guided by schedule of questions. A relatively small and primarily qualitative study.

Acknowledgement of bias in study: health care professionals with greatest concerns about issues, medical practices with relatively high numbers of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants; service users who were already supported by at least one voluntary sector organisation.

Most of the interviewees, with a few exceptions, had experienced positive experiences in accessing primary health care. However, they reported a wide range of linguistic, cultural and administrative barriers in accessing appropriate care.

Findings and proposal of recommendations of action for commissioning of Oxford’s primary health care services, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG).

• Recognition of the health needs of refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrants as a key inequality issue that requires specific support and resources Action by: OCCG and all providers

• Funding GP surgeries to run a Locally Enhanced Service Action by: OCCG

• Interpreters Action by: OCCG, GP surgeries and voluntary sector organisations

• Awareness-raising/training for health care professionals Action by: OCCG funding voluntary sector organisations like Refugee Resource, Asylum Welcome and other voluntary sector organisations to run training sessions for GP surgeries, including developing an educational video.

• Outreach work in communities with high numbers of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants to orient them to primary health care service Action by: OCCG funding to voluntary sector organisation to facilitate outreach work.

The study addressed:

• Acknowledgement of positive work by primary health care professionals in Oxford and appropriate services to refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrants, despite the enormous pressures they are under.

• Sufficient funding and working together as ‘shared care’ partners on the recommendations outlined above, the primary health care services, local communities and voluntary sector organisations could achieve greater impact in providing an equitable service and reducing the health inequalities faced by refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants in Oxford.