Asylum Seekers and Vulnerable Migrants supported in N&W

The UK has seen a record number of asylum seekers entering the UK , Norfolk and Waveney has four contingency hotels accommodating people who need support to access health and care.

Norfolk and Waveney ICB has been working closely with the People from Abroad Team (PfAT) a social work team located in Norfolk County Council https://communitydirectory.norfolk.gov.uk/Services/10489 , who have an integrated co-located health care team. The team supports asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants arriving in Norfolk and works alongside Norwich GP practices and the wider N&W ICS geography. The health team undertake initial health triage on arrival, holistic health assessments and ongoing complex case management for example where there are mental health needs, long term conditions and with safeguarding concerns of varying severity.

This multi-agency response which was set up initially by the ICB, had an operational locality/Place focused group pulled together from key statutory and non-statutory partners. This includes district councils, police, mental health, public health, primary care and ambulance service. The ICB funded an enhanced health care offer of support from GP practices through a health inclusion Locally Commissioned Service (LCS). This covers all inclusion health groups, ncluding asylum seekers and refugees. The LCS supports education, skills and training and capacity to care for vulnerable migrants within primary care. Further, the Locality Placed based operational groups now have the oversight of a newly formed Asylum and Migration Partnership Board which is a system wide strategic group.

To find out more about the PfAT and the work they do, please see video here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mmIy6mtEs6U&feature=shares