Unheard Voices
Written by Musmirah_Shahzada on Monday, June 19, 2006 14:10
New report demands radical improvements to care for asylum seekers and refugees
A new report calls for urgent action by the NHS and other service providers to dramatically improve mental health care for asylum seekers and refugees.
The report and best practice guide entitled 'Unheard Voices - listening to the views of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the planning and delivery of mental health service provision in London' was commissioned by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) on behalf of the network of 11 Mental Health Patient and Public Involvement Forums in London. The best practice guide and further research builds on preliminary work conducted last year and the recommendations and findings are based on the views of asylum seekers and refugees who were interviewed. The best practice guide sets out nearly 100 recommendations for action. The research, report and guide were prepared by consultants David Palmer and Kim Ward.
The report calls for agencies responsible for commissioning and providing care to take a much more integrated and holistic approach. The report states that poverty, housing and immigration status are the key issues impacting on the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. These issues need to be addressed as well as ensuring sensitive and accessible mental health services.
Commenting on the report, Mike Loosley, Chair of the London Mental Health PPI Forums Network, said: "This is an excellent piece of work by David and Kim and it represents an urgent call to action for the NHS, other service providers and commissioners. Asylum seekers and refugees deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and services should be designed accordingly."
Nyatsanza Harris, Medical Justice, commented: "The forced decision for one to flee from there country is not any easy one. Many asylum seekers coming from war torn countries have experienced some of the most horrifying and life shattering stories. On behalf of those asylum seekers that have been welcomed into England, may I express my gratitude to CPPIH, and the authors, for commissioning the report.
"Britain has a long tradition of providing hospitality to those persecuted by their governments and my hope is that this report will assist those practitioners in health or voluntary organisations who working with asylum seekers gain a better insight into how best to help them through mental health problems. I also hope those with the Home Office will take note of the findings of this report."
Download report here.
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