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Immigration

Answer

The UK Border Agency does not provide medical care and treatment directly but does liaise regularly with other expert agencies such as the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency in order to ensure that any necessary safeguards as to health are followed. Individuals who are liable to enforced removal or who are proposing to leave voluntarily are generally expected to make their own health protection arrangements. All known medical issues and travel health are discussed with individuals leaving the UK under an assisted voluntary returns scheme and with families as part of the new family returns process. Parents are advised that it is their responsibility to take reasonable steps to cater for their and their family's health needs as they plan to leave the UK. Individuals leaving the UK under an assisted voluntary returns scheme would discuss protection against malaria, yellow fever, measles and meningitis with Refugee Action and arrange inoculation in the UK where required. In addition, the UK Border Agency provides mosquito nets, free of charge, to at-risk groups of immigrants being removed to malaria risk countries. At-risk groups are defined as all individuals being removed to malaria risk countries who are pregnant, under the age of 18, or whose immune system is compromised. Individuals in detention returning to malaria risk countries who are not in the at-risk groups may purchase a mosquito net from the immigration removal centre's shop. In addition, those in detention who may be particularly vulnerable to infection (e.g. pregnant women) will be prescribed malaria prophylaxis by healthcare staff in line with Health Protection Agency guidance. Immigration removal centres are not specialist centres for yellow fever vaccination. The possibility of requiring vaccination is reduced for families entering the pre-departure accommodation as it is specifically considered as part of the family returns process before they enter the accommodation. A child entering the pre-departure accommodation would receive immunisations for measles and meningitis if he/she was scheduled to receive one in the community from their GP.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

14319; 734 c48-9WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Deportation Migrants Vaccination Repatriation Meningitis Malaria Measles Yellow fever

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk