Improving GP registration and access for migrant health

Migrants to the UK — including refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants — experience health inequities due to social exclusion, discrimination, language barriers, and, for some, restricted entitlement to health care due to their immigration status.1 In this article we echo recent calls for more inclusive migrant health care2 and consider the impacts of COVID-19 on access to primary care for undocumented migrants in particular. A recent report estimated that there are 674 000 undocumented migrants across the UK, with 397 000 in London.3 The number of undocumented children in the UK increased by 79% between 2011 and 2017, and almost half were born in the UK.3 Home Office statistics show that, every year, approximately 30 000 asylum applications are lodged and roughly 20 000 of these are granted asylum, alternative forms of leave, or resettlement.4 These figures show that there are many migrants who do not have a secure immigration status, right to work, or access to welfare services leaving them with inadequate housing and potential destitution. These vulnerable situations make it difficult for migrants to access the healthcare services they need, despite many having additional healthcare needs (see Box 1). | Migrant populations are diverse but many face a ‘triple burden’ of non-communicable diseases infectious diseases and mental health problems due to a range of adverse experiences before during and after migration.5 | ||