Migrant Health
Migration to Scotland is increasing, with migrants coming from both outside and within the European Union for work, study and family reunification. One group with particular health and health care needs are asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented or refused migrants. Such patients are likely to be in particularly marginalised situations and have particular health and access needs. (SSPC, 2018).
Evidence and evaluation
Care of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants- SSPC, 2018
This paper summarises health needs and access issues and outlines areas which could be the focus of quality improvement projects for practices caring for these populations.
Migrant health needs | Evidence search | NICE
Evidence-based information on migrant health needs of migrant patients receiving healthcare.
Cochrane systematic review- Migrant subgroup publications
The group aims to improve the health of vulnerable migrant populations by synthesizing migrant relevant evidence from all over the world and shining a light on important equity gaps in related interventions and outcomes.
Toolkits and guidance
Is an online toolbox which allows health professionals to access factsheets, how-to-guides or browse by Topic A-Z or Country A-Z. and ask questions to other professionals.
Find out more about migrants and supporting their care in the NHS by accessing the full UK Government UK Migrant Health Guide or selecting topics below:
Migrants and the NHS
Countries
Health topics
Assessing patients
- Assessing new patients from overseas: migrant health guide
- Culture, spirituality and religion: migrant health guide
- Human trafficking: migrant health guide
- Language interpretation: migrant health guide
- Travel to visit friends and relatives: migrant health guide
Data
Population estimates - ISD Scotland
Although population estimates are difficult for migration, visit the ISD Scotland website or contact your Local Intelligence Support Analyst. ISD Scotland also provides twice yearly reports on recording ethnic groups in hospital records (external website) to improve equality and diversity monitoring.
Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (HIIA) – Health Scotland
Proposing a new plan, proposal or policy that could impact migrant care. Find out if you need to do an HIIA and get support on how to complete.
Learn from others
Experiences of primary care professionals providing healthcare to recently arrived migrants: a qualitative study - BMJ 2016
Read about the experiences of other healthcare professionals wanting to create care which suits everyone’s needs.
National programmes
Visit Health Scotland to find out more about national work for health inequalities and research priorities.
Networks
There are currently no networks for improving migrant health. If you are interested in starting one, please email hcis.pcpteam@nhs.net.
Alternatively you can submit questions topic-related questions to an online community at Migrant.Health