The government’s review of policy on asylum seekers should lead to more humane treatment, the British Medical Association has urged, writes Clare Jerrom.

The BMA and the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture claim the present policy of vouchers and forced dispersal is putting the health of asylum seekers at serious risk.

In a joint dossier ‘Asylum seekers and health’, doctors describe experiences of children not being immunised for chronic conditions because the dispersal policy lacks continuity; mothers watering down babies’ milk to make vouchers go further and asylum seekers needing psychological support living in areas with no specialist care.

Dr Michael Wilks, chairperson of the BMA’s ethics committee, said: "Asylum seekers have very particular physical and mental health needs because of their traumatic experiences. We are failing some very vulnerable people, whose health is actually deteriorating rather than improving in the safety of the UK."

Both organisations are calling for the vouchers scheme to be scrapped in favour of cash benefits. They both believe the dispersal policy should be overhauled with the aim of protecting asylum seekers and not punishing them.

The conclusions of the government's review are due to be announced at the end of the month.