Identify barriers and good practice
Together with our research partner, Dr Sylvie Da Lomba from Strathclyde University Law School, through this research we want to identify any barriers women might be facing in accessing appropriate care when they are pregnant.
We’ll also highlight any good practice in maternity care provision in Glasgow. And if we find that women have difficulty accessing maternity services, our aim is to work with NHS Scotland to ensure women receive the quality of care that they require and are entitled to.
Confusion surrounding entitlement to free NHS care in Scotland
In Scotland asylum seekers who have had their claim refused are still entitled to free NHS care.
However, since the launch of our women’s project last year, it has become clear that there is confusion surrounding the rights and entitlements of asylum seekers to free NHS health care in different parts of the UK.
Recent research has shown that there is a real risk that asylum seeking women in the UK don’t access appropriate maternity care at the right time out of fear, lack of knowledge of the system or lack of specialist training among health professionals.
It is essential that asylum seeking women are informed and able to access maternity services as their needs can be very complex and may include:
- High levels of stress, anxiety and disruption to networks of care and support as a result of the asylum process
- Complications resulting from the effects of female genital mutilation (FGM) and/or sexual violence
- Risk of communicable diseases, such as HIV, being passed on to the unborn child
Accurate information essential
We’ve been working to ensure accurate information is being providing to women and practitioners, including getting the British Medical Association to update information relating to entitlement to NHS care in Scotland: ‘Access to health care for asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers’ (January 2012 guidance).
Differences between Scotland and England
In England refused asylum seekers may be asked to pay for NHS care. However, they cannot be refused maternity care – even if the woman is unable to pay. The charity Maternity Action has found this is not widely understood and women may need to insist that the maternity service follows the NHS guidelines.
In Scotland women don’t face quite the same problems – but we want to identify any barriers they do face. We also want to raise awareness and importantly ensure women know they’re entitled to free maternity care in Scotland – and of course share any good practice with our colleagues in England to help them campaign for change.
Our project so far…
- Sylvie and I have met with key healthcare professionals from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who have been very supportive of our research.
- We have 10-15 women who are willing share their experiences.
Take part in our research
We’ve set up a focus group with primary care practitioners at a local GP surgery in Glasgow. And we’re looking for more women to share their experiences. If you are willing to take part in the study or you work with women who may be interested, email me or call on 0141 223 7993.
