News & Events

Please see recent editions of the MRSN newsletter for recent articles on Forum activities and developments within the asylum system. Open Forum meetings usually involve an external speaker, consultation with members on a particular issue or training and skills development.

25 September 08: Feedback from the UK Borders Agency "Question Time" Event / Reporting and Detention in Manchester
1pm - 4pm, MRSN, St James Centre, 95a Princess Road, Manchester M14 4TH
Come and receive copies of the event report, feedback on issues the UKBA committed to following up, and to discuss changes or ongoing problems at Dallas Court reporting centre and the detention process in Greater Manchester.
10 June 08: UK Borders Agency "Question Time" with Refugee Communities in Manchester
(10am - 4.30pm, Main Hall, The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD)
170 refugees, asylum seekers and supporters raised concerns and quizzed UK Borders 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 Borders Agency.
An event report will be available from September.

Representatives from a number of different teams in the UK Borders 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 Borders Agency activity in the North West was also be present to explain her role and answer questions.
- 12 May 08: Quarterly Integration Forum: Needs of young asylum seekers and refugees in schools
Event details (DOC)
- 17 April 08: Reporting and Detention in Greater 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. The Forum's Basic Rights group collect evidence to support their dialogue with Dallas Court staff. See Publications and Resources for minutes from the group's meetings with the UK Borders Agency.
        Meeting report (PDF)
         Event details (DOC)
          Imaatinka & halka dadka lagu hayo ee Dallas Court: Wargelin & talo siin (DOC)
- 29 Feb 08: Access to Primary Care for Migrants
  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
           Event Report (PDF - 497KB)

        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 (DOC)
- 31 Jan 08: Open Forum Meeting: Monitoring changes at Dallas Court reporting centre
  Meeting minutes
- 13 Dec 07: Open Forum Meeting: Pathways to learning and employment
  Meeting minutes
- 31 Oct 07: Feedback & Consultation Event
  Event report (PDF - 408KB)
- 1 Oct 07: Open Forum Meeting: Case Resolution, Eddy Montgomery, Deputy Director, BIA
  Meeting minutes