Report of the Director of Public Health and the Deputy Place Based Lead, NHS Greater Manchester (Manchester Locality)

This report provides an overview of health provision for Asylum Seeker Contingency (ASC) hotels in the city of Manchester.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Public Health and the

Deputy Place Based Lead, NHS Greater Manchester (Manchester Locality)

that provided an overview of health provision for Asylum Seeker Contingency (ASC) hotels in the city of Manchester.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background, noting that in July 2020, Manchester Health and Care Commissioning (MHCC), the Clinical Commissioning Group for the city of Manchester at the time, was directed by NHS England (NHSE) to work with the Home Office, their provider Serco and other stakeholders such as Manchester City Council to commission primary care services for people placed in the ASC hotels.

·         Listing what primary care providers were expected to deliver as a minimum;

·         Discussion of the main issues and mitigating actions, including information on the NHS Greater Manchester Migrant Health Group that had been established;

·         Describing the approach to commissioning primary care services to meet the needs of people seeking asylum living in the hotels;

·         Highlighting some of the opportunities identified to build on the learning and expertise developed through this work, to better meet the needs of people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants in the future; and

·         Noting that the work described supported Manchester City Council’s commitment to ensure that Manchester was a city of sanctuary for people seeking asylum.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:

·         Further information on the migrant health passport;

·         Information was sought on the NHS Greater Manchester Migrant Health Group, noting that issues experienced by asylum seekers were not confined to those accommodated in ASC hotels;

·         Did asylum seekers have a choice as to which GP they registered with; and

·         An update on Manchester becoming a City of Sanctuary.

Dr Fiona Watson, General Practitioner, Hawthorn Medical Centre described the work delivered to support asylum seekers housed in ASC hotels. She referred to a particular hotel that housed approximately 150 men. She described the integrated approach to help individuals access primary care services. She said that the team comprised of a multidisciplinary team, including GPs, Health Care Assistants and Nurses who would be present at the hotel once a week. She described that having a physical presence in the hotel helped foster positive relationships with both Serco, who had responsibility to provide properties for initial and dispersed accommodation requirements to support the welfare of asylum seekers, and the residents. She advised that the clinical priorities were infection screening, particularly for Tuberculosis; safeguarding; mental health and wellbeing work. 

Darren Parsonage, Head of Operations (Vaccination/Designated Clinical Officer) SEND, NHS Greater Manchester (Manchester) stated that the intention was to standardise the good work described by Dr Watson across all ASC hotels. He commented that, due to the nature of the asylum system and the fact that some hotel residents would move to different accommodation during their asylum-seeking journey, one of the providers had been developing a “migrant health passport” for residents who had longer term health needs to support continuity of care should the resident move on. In response to a specific question, he said that an individual could choose to register with any GP. He added that the priorities of the GM Migrant Health Group were access to primary care; infectious diseases screening and transition.

The Director of Public Health stated that a lot of learning had been obtained over the previous five years in relation to this area of activity. He added that the GM Migrant Health Group recognised that the health issues experienced by asylum seekers were not confined to residents of ASC hotels and would be experienced by asylum seekers in the wider community.

The Deputy Leader described that a steering group had been established to agree the Terms of Reference and progress the strategy for Manchester to enable it to become accredited as a City of Sanctuary. She said this steering group included people with lived experience. She said that a commitment to becoming a City of Sanctuary had been agreed at full Council in July 2023. She said this meant that the City Council, health organisations, other public bodies, as well as the voluntary and faith sector, would work together to improve services for those seeking sanctuary in Manchester. The Deputy Leader concluded by stating that Manchester stood in solidarity with all people seeking asylum.

The Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care paid tribute to all partners working across the city to support asylum seekers. He paid particular tribute to Sarah Doran, Assistant Director of Public Health for her work and continued dedication in this area of work.

The Committee expressed their gratitude to all guests for attending and contributing to the meeting.

Decision

To note the report.