More than a quarter of GP services in Lewisham have failed to meet the requirements set out by the Safe Surgeries guidelines, which aim to improve access to healthcare for migrants and refugees. Out of the 34 GP surgeries in the borough, nine failed to score above three out of five in the secret campaign conducted by Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network.
The main issues faced by migrants and refugees when accessing healthcare include language barriers, lack of documentation, low digital literacy, and limited Internet access. Despite these challenges, there have been some positive findings from the campaign. For example, 90% of the practices offer interpreters, 70% do not require disclosure of immigration status, and 70% provide physical registration forms.
The Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network have shared their findings with the local council and NHS South East London ICS to address the gaps in service provision. Chima Olugh from NHS South East London ICB highlighted the importance of ensuring equal access to healthcare for all residents, especially vulnerable populations.
While there is still room for improvement, the organization noted that many of the GP surgeries have shown progress since the initial investigation. They are also collaborating with the council to provide training sessions for healthcare staff in partnership with Doctors of the World.
Councillor Oana Olaru commended the work of Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network in advocating for healthcare access for all residents. As the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, Lewisham is committed to supporting migrants and refugees and ensuring that GP practices adhere to the Safe Surgery scheme.
Overall, the campaign highlights the importance of addressing healthcare inequalities and working towards inclusive and welcoming healthcare services for all residents in Lewisham. By continuing to collaborate with local stakeholders and healthcare providers, progress can be made towards achieving equal access to healthcare for migrants and refugees in the borough.
