New medical centre for asylum seekers

March 12, 2003 in Adults, Asylum and refugees, Children

Nearly 400 refugees and asylum seekers living in and around
Birmingham have registered with the first health centre dedicated
to their needs just two months after it opened its doors.

The Asylum seeker and Refugee Centre for Health (Arch), based at
the Broadway Health Centre in Ladywood, is a three-year Department
of Health project run by the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary
Care Trust.

It was set up to offer health care to refugees and asylum seekers
who have been unable to register with local GP practices. Last
year, Birmingham GP Vijayaker Abrol refused to take on any more
asylum seekers because of the extra work involved (news, page 7, 14
November).