Support Services For Asylum Seekers Refugees
The number of people seeking asylum in the UK has been rising in recent years. Asylum seeker and refugee patients make up a small but important proportion of the vulnerable population in Blackburn with Darwen.
Helping Asylum Seeker & Refugee Patients
Asylum seeker and refugee patients make up a small but important proportion of the vulnerable population in Blackburn with Darwen. They often have complex traumatic histories, arising from experiences of persecution, conflict, displacement, and prolonged uncertainty, which can significantly affect their health and wellbeing.
Many asylum seekers face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, from registering with a GP to obtaining appointments with clinical professionals. Language barriers, alongside limited understanding of the healthcare system and their entitlements, are key but not exclusive contributing factors.
What Services We Provide
We are working closely with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council as well as the Asylum & Refugee Charities in the area to improve outcomes for asylum seekers and refugees. We deliver a two-fold service designed to reduce barriers and improve access to healthcare for all new arrivals in Blackburn with Darwen.
The service supports asylum seekers to register with GP practices and provides a comprehensive medical review to help identify and address health needs at an early stage.
Supporting Asylum Seekers to Register with a GP Practice
We support patients through the completion of all required GP registration forms, ensuring timely access to primary care services from the outset of their arrival
Comprehensive Medical Review
- We offer a single point of access to be able to be seen by Health Care Assistants, Clinical Pharmacists and GPs.
- Patients receive a thorough review during a timely appointment, allowing sufficient opportunity to discuss and address sensitive or complex needs.
- Additional follow up appointments can be arranged where required.
- Any necessary ongoing referrals will be organised for the patient.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved access to Health Care Services for Asylum Seekers & Refugees
Early identification and support for health needs. - Support the integration of Asylum Seeker/Refugee patients into the Primary Care Health System.
Data
Asylum Seeker & Refugee Service commenced May 2025. As of December 2025 we have:
- Supported 39 Asylum Seekers register with a GP Practice.
- Held 13 clinics for new patient comprehensive medical reviews and seen 33 patients for a review.
- Held 1 clinic for follow up reviews and seen 7 patients for a follow up.
- 19/33 patients required a prescription for 1 or more medications.
- 18/33 patients required additional investigations.
- 11/33 patients required 1 or more referrals.