§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they intend to take in response to the report by the British Medical Association (Asylum seekers: meeting their healthcare needs, 23 October 2002) that asylum seekers suffering from psychological aspects of torture are not always referred to specialist centres. [HL498]
§ Lord FilkinDepartment of Health officials are due to have a preliminary meeting with representatives from the British Medical Association shortly to discuss the issues raised and recommendations made in their reportAsylum seekers: meeting their healthcare needs.
Meeting the health needs of those with mental health prolems is a priority for the NHS and the National Service Framework for Mental Health is improving services across the board for all service users including asylum seekers. Mental health services can treat the majority of mental health problems. Complex cases can be referred to specialist units throughout the country. The Department of Health is funding the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture to deliver training to health providers on the needs of those who have been tortured.
Voluntary sector agencies provide reception assistants whose job is to assist asylum seekers to complete an application form for support from the National Asylum Support Service. Reception assistants have been given guidance on what to do if an asylum seeker mentions that they are suffering from torture or demonstrates that they have care needs above and beyond destitution. They will be referred to the local authority for assessment.
69WAWithin the induction centre at Dover, asylum seekers are offered a health assessment by a healthcare professional. It is hoped that further induction centres will also offer this service and that this will provide a better way of determining health needs of asylum seekers, including those suffering from psychological trauma.