HL Deb 22 July 2002 vol 638 c25WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Beverley Hughes MP on 1 July (HC Deb 188W), whether rural encampments of asylum seekers, who "have access to NHS care in the same way as people who are settled here" will have to be cared for by local rural general practitioners and other rural health services. [HL5149]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

On-site primary healthcare facilities will be provided at the proposed trial accommodation centres for asylum seekers. The intention is to minimise the impact which the accommodation centres will have on local general practitioners and other local health services. The on-site healthcare facilities will be provided under contract to the Home Office. Local general practitioners and other health services may be involved in delivery of these services. Alternatively, the on-site healthcare may be provided by other providers. Asylum seekers residing at the proposed centres are also likely to have some need of specialist health care services and Department of Health officials are having preliminary discussions about this with the relevant organisations in the areas concerned.