Assessing asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waterman, Lauren Z.; Katona, Cara; Katona, Cornelius
• Is Part Of: BJPsych bulletin. Volume 44:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Education and training, -- refugee, -- migrant, -- PTSD, -- health inequalities; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 616.8905
• DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2019.67
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4694

Abstract

Summary: Identifying the causes of psychiatric and physical symptoms in asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants and making definitive diagnoses can be challenging. Ethical and legal challenges in the UK include the likely deterrent effects of upfront charging for National Health Service (NHS) services. This paper focuses on the fictitious case of an asylum seeker presenting to a mental health service in England, highlighting some of the difficulties in assessing and treating this patient group and providing advice to clinicians on clinical and practical management. Current NHS entitlements for migrants are summarised and a list is presented in the online supplement of non-governmental organisations that can provide further support.