REFUGEES and asylum seekers spoke of the challenges they face with health and care services in Swindon. 

Healthwatch Swindon ran a survey between July and December 2020, asking 50 visitors of the Harbour Project to share their experiences.

The charity on Broad Street supports those who have fled their own countries for various reasons, including war and persecution. 

The survey carried out by the patients' watchdog revealed 12 respondents found it difficult to make an appointment at their GP surgery. 

One said: “I find making an appointment very hard as I speak very little English.”

Another asked if staff could speak slower to help them understand. 

And one added: “I think [it] would [be] very helpful if there [was] some sort of translating for those who [do] not speak English.” 

Harbour Project CEO Claire Garrett said: “The ability to communicate effectively with health providers is the number one issue for our people. 

“Automated call-routing systems compound the challenges of making appointments. 

“Having sufficient breadth of language to explain yourself in the appointment and understand the advice given can also be difficult when English is not your first language.”

Harbour offers free English classes to their users, with a regular focus on health topics to support them. 

She added: “Access to interpreting services can be inconsistent, adding to the frustrations of the health provider and patient. 

“With the requirements of patient consent and data protection, it can be tricky for us to be able to intermediate with the health provider so that we can better explain things to our beneficiary. 

“We have been able to make some positive progress in this area with one practice which has worked really well.”

She said people in the asylum system are often moved between accommodation and between towns.

Claire added: “This can mean that medical appointments can be lost, and transfer of records can take some time to catch up as people register with new services. 

“Finally, navigation of health services is a challenge for people new to the country. Understanding when and how to go to the opticians, dentists, A&E, GP, or when to call an ambulance, are all things that the Harbour can help people to better understand.

“This means that people can access to the right service at the right time, and helps reduce the strain on valuable health services.”

The survey showed 49 out of 50 visitors to Harbour said they felt safe in the community. 
When asked what thing would improve their health and wellbeing, one said: “I’ve got pain my whole body and I can’t explain that because of the language barrier.” 

A second added: “I think services are doing their best and that I need to learn more about how to access them, but sometimes when I have asked for help nothing happened.”