Evaluating the impact of the Health Access for Refugees Project on people who are refugees or seeking asylum in Northern England
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: AIMS: Evidence demonstrates that people who are seeking asylum and refugees face individual, institutional and system-level barriers when accessing health services. Health Access for Refugees' Project (HARP) is a UK initiative increasing access to health care within this community through a series of interventions. This study explored the impact of HARP on health service access, experiences and outcomes for clients, and how volunteers and staff addressed institutional and system-level barriers. METHODS: In summer 2020, we conducted qualitative telephone interviews with four HARP clients, eight clients who became volunteers, seven further volunteers and three staff members. RESULTS: The educational aspect of the interventions supported clients navigating the complex UK health care system while promoting independence in accessing health care. Advocacy by volunteers and staff was important in challenging barriers at individual and institutional levels. Staff challenged the asylum system, by improving information around entitlement to health care and addressing barriers to registering with a General Practitioner (GP). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions such as those provided by HARP can address different levels of barriers to support people accessing health care provision. This can be achieved through training health professionals and working with peers to support access to care and to develop self-advocacy. However, stable long-term funding is essential to ensure the sustainability of these initiative.
Source: Perspectives in Public Health
Authors: M-C Balaam, M Haith-Cooper, D Mathew
Institutions: University of Lancashire, University of Bradford, Refugee Council
Language: English
Topic: Migration, Health and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,700
OpenAlex ID: W4403398300