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Please note that the NECLES HIEC finished its function in April 2012. We are keeping this web site live and invite you to see some great examples of collaborative and innovative work.

Migrant Health

Background

People from diverse backgrounds have immensely contributed to the history, prosperity and culture of the United Kingdom. Many corporate and public bodies have immensely gained from this input, for example the NHS has been the largest employer and beneficiary of such contribution.

Modern day migrants vary widely in reason for entry to the UK and in socioeconomic status - and generally have similar health needs to the UK born population. However many do come from regions where risk of exposure to infectious diseases is high. Exposure may have occurred long before arrival in the UK, contracted during the process of migration or within the UK after arrival. Diseases that are left undiagnosed and untreated are a burden to the health economy, due to the increased resources needed to treat advanced disease and due to the additional cases associated with ongoing transmission.

Overall aim

The overall aim of this project was to increase opportunities for clinicians to provide early diagnosis and treatment of health issues within the migrant population, and to support migrant populations in engaging with the health system in order that health inequalities can be reduced.

The scope of the Migrant Health project within NECLES HIEC was considerable in terms of involvement of GPs and communities. The focus of the project was on the following

  • developing "migrant health" as a concept
  • promoting awareness of country of origin as a risk factor for exposure to certain infections
  • supporting clinicians in identifying those at risk
  • mapping of migrant density in relation to healthcare settings and prevalence of certain common transmissable diseases
  • engagement of all migrant communities.

Outcomes:

  • Established systemic documentation of 'country of birth' on electronic record system in primary care.
    • EMIS web roll out in East London and North Central London with template on 'Country of Birth'
    • HPA migrant health guide link and crib sheets developed to add 'country of birth' on present EMIS (click here for EMIS) and VISION GP record systems (here for VISION).
  • Analysed TB data to identify delays in primary care diagnosis, generating real-time feedback to GPs.
  • Developed directory of health providers and field community organisations in migrant health
  • Mapped TB and HIV prevalence in NECLES HIEC area, with respect to migrant populations indicating also the health providers and field community organisations
  • Established an active GP network, an on-line forum and educational events
  • Developed policy brief on access to primary care for migrants in partnership with DH and GLA.
  • Worked with the London TB Programme and TB Alert on community engagement

Sharing Best Practice

The breadth of the HIEC programmes presented possibilities for integrating infectious disease screening with lifestyle modification, other health priorities and community needs. We were always on the lookout for opportunities to share best practice within primary and secondary care so that accessible, high quality care was available where the burden of undiagnosed infection was high. We also worked with commissioners, third sector organisations and migrant groups to inform provision of 'within reach venues' for health education, diagnosis and entry into care.

One of our efforts was on consistent promotion of HPS Migrant Health Guide among health practitioners
- http://www.hpa.org.uk/MigrantHealthGuide/

Migrant Health Resources

Presentations from the Migrant Health evening event on Wed 1 February 2012

Useful links: