A public meeting in Sheffield last night heard how local asylum seekers were suffering because of rules barring some of them from free hospital treatment. One man from Afghanistan who damaged his spine while mending a roof was eventually let off paying his bill but said he was told he couldn’t have a wheelchair. Another said he was refused medical care for his diabetes and when his sight deteriorated the local Eritrean community raised £3,000 for his treatment.

The meeting was called to highlight the impact of the existing rules barring failed asylum seekers from free secondary or hospital care, and to draw attention to government proposals currently under consideration to extend the restrictions to include GP services as well. Joan MacFarlane, from Sheffield Central Health Team, said many asylum seekers had sought refuge because they had suffered severe injuries. As a result they needed proper access to health care.

Jo Miller, from the health charity Medact spoke about the apparent contradiction in Home Office policy which allows failed asylum seekers to stay if they’re too ill to go home, yet denies medical treatment while they wait.

A representative from the Borders Agency, Maxine Walton told the meeting that the Home Office was keen to shake off its old image as a faceless department and that she and colleagues were now keen to engage with stakeholders. She said she would report back to colleagues about the tensions that had been highlighted.

The meeting, which was called by South Yorkshire Asylum & Migration Action Group and Sheffield City of Sanctuary, was attended by nearly 100 health practitioners, asylum seekers and supporters. Participants were urged to join Medact’s campaign for a more humane policy on access to health services, and a Sheffield Medact Group is being set up.

Please contact City of Sanctuary for further details.