About UsRefugee CharterCampaigns and AdvocacyNews & EventsPublications & ResourcesDirectory

News & Events 2008 - 2009


UK Border Agency & asylum system

16 June 09: UK Border Agency North West and Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester - Annual Forum
Programme
The themes of this year's annual forum are 'Detention in Greater Manchester' and 'People who cannot be returned'. Register in advance at forum@mrsn.org.uk.
15 December 08: Detention: Understanding your rights 
Event details
Free training about UKBA guidelines for detention, making bail applications and fresh claims and meeting with members of the Refugee and Migrant Forum Manchester to hear about their work to improve UKBA practices
25 September 08: Feedback from the UK Border Agency "Question Time" Event / Reporting and Detention in Manchester
Asylum seekers and their representatives and supporters meet every three months to receive updated information and discuss what is happening at Dallas Court Reporting Centre.
10 June 08: UK Border Agency "Question Time" with Refugee Communities in Manchester
Event report (57 pages) / Event summary (14 pages) / What can I do if... who to contact about issues raised during the event 
170 refugees, asylum seekers and supporters raised concerns and quizzed UK Border Agency representatives about the running of the asylum process at this very successful event, demonstrating the strength of feeling in Greater Manchester about the policies and practices of the UK Border Agency. 
UKBA event 1. UKBA event 2.

Representatives from a number of different teams in the UK Border Agency with responsibility for enforcement visits, detention, the running of Dallas Court, complaints, case resolution ('legacy' cases), reporting policy and the asylum process attended to answer asylum seekers' and their supporters' questions and listen to concerns.  Gill Mortlock, the Regional Director with responsibility for the overall running of all UK Border Agency activity in the North West was also present to explain her role and answer questions.

Integration events

Event details
Event report
Event report
Meeting minutes

Access to health care

Event Report (PDF - 497KB)
70 people including GPs, frontline staff, board members of Primary Care Trusts and representatives from local authorities, refugee communities and support agencies came together to discuss Home Office proposals to charge refused asylum seekers for primary care which are being debated in a joint Home Office and Department of Health review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals.  Wayne Farah, Non Executive Board Member, Newham PCT outlined some of the risks and challenges to Primary Care Trusts from implimenting restrictions on migrants access to health services and Alan Higgins, Director of Public Health, Oldham PCT highlighted the serious public health implications. A workshop aimed at clarifying the current rules for refused asylum seekers access to the NHS highlighted the two critical following points:
1. GPs can register whoever they wish, there is currently no law to stop GPs registering refused asylum seekers
2. Asylum seekers can get an HC2 certificate and get their health care free
Update:
The Department of Health / Home Office review of entitlement to health care is still apparently underway although there is no indication when it will be released.  The Government may be seeking to address this issue through the Immigration and Citizenship Bill which is out in partial draft at the moment.  The UK Borders Agency commentary on the bill states an intention to restrict access to services and that this material will be in the final bill which is not yet out.
Further papers relating to the event and this review:
Key outcomes of Newham PCT's Health Impact Assessment of 2004 proposals to charge overseas visitors for primary care
(PPT - 83KB)
Migration and Public Health in the North West - Alan Higgins  (PPT - 72KB)
'The identification and charging of Overseas Visitors at NHS services in Newham: a Consultation', June 2006 (PDF - 657KB)
'Standing up for the medical rights of asylum seekers', Richard E Ashcroft, Journal of Medical Ethics, 2005 (PDF - 60KB)
Department of Health Guidance, October 2007 (PDF - 158KB)
WHAT YOU CAN DO

Consultation events

Event report (PDF - 408KB)