Agenda item

(To receive a report from NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which provides the Committee with a summary of the proposed health care service provision to support the residents who would be living at RAF Scampton. David Harding, Deputy Director - Asylum and Detention Accommodation Programme from the Home Office will be in attendance for this item)

The Committee considered a report from the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which provided a summary of the proposed health care service provision to support Asylum Seekers at the former RAF Scampton.

The Chairman invited David Harding, Deputy Director – Asylum and Detention Accommodation Programme, Home Office to remotely present the item to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that since March 2023 there had been significant engagement with the NHS England’s Department for Health and Social Care and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to work through the specifics of the health care provision to be provided on the site, and to reduce the impact on local health services, particularly those living in the local vicinity.

It was reported that the existing medical centre on the site had been refurbished and the expectation was that the ground floor would be used to conduct both health assessments and the first floor would be utilised for secondary or further appointments with the medical team.

Confirmation was given that due to ongoing legal challenges, there was no confirmed date at which the site would be ready for occupation.  It was however noted that the Home Office had agreed a funding package with the ICB that covered both the set-up costs and costs to the end of the year.

The Committee was advised that when the site was ready to take an inflow of people, this would be done in a very controlled way, 30 individuals a day, no more than 150 individuals a week between Monday and Friday.

During consideration of this item, the following comments were noted:

·       It was reported that the medical provision on site would be in alignment with what was provided at the Wethersfield site in Essex, and essentially would be the same as would normally be expected at a local doctor’s surgery.  It was noted that referrals for more serious issues would be made into the local system.  Confirmation was given that there would be mental health provision.  Details relating to how many staff would be employed to provide primary care and mental health services and where health care professional were going to be recruited from were not known, and it was agreed this information would be requested after the meeting;

·       As details relating to the funding package between the Home Office and the ICB for the provision of health services at RAF Scampton were not available at the meeting, this information would be requested after the meeting;

·       Concern was expressed that staffing the medical provision at RAF Scampton would effect provision locally, as Lincolnshire’s healthcare system was already under huge pressure and continued to have issues with recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses and dentists. Confirmation was provided that there would not be any reliance on primary healthcare from the wider community, and that the GP provision set up on site would be paid for separately.  The Committee noted that having access to primary GP services on site would reduce the burden on GP services in the local community.  Reassurance was given that the Home Office would continue to work with the ICB and healthcare to look at any further mitigations that might be needed;

·       Some concern was also expressed to the fact that there was no public transport links at RAF Scampton site, or infrastructure and that because of its location, it was the wrong place for asylum seekers to be accommodated. It was confirmed that transport would be provided for those on the site, and as this was a non-detained site people were free to come and go as they wished;

·       Some disappointment was expressed that a representative from the NHS was not in attendance at the meeting;

·       The types of ailments asylum seekers were going to screened for on their arrival.  Some concern was expressed that Scampton was not going to be a secure location. The Committee was advised that the blood test would seek to identify a wide range of ailments, and that the first appointment would be used to go through the individual’s medical history. Once the results of the screening were received, then the individual would be called back to the medical facility to go through the results of the screening. Where appropriate further treatment would be administered. Information relating to the types of ailments individuals would be screened screening for would be requested after the meeting;

Note: Councillor T J N Smith wished it to be noted that he had worked with the Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP; was a member of West Lindsey District Council Planning Committee, and was a former resident of RAF Scampton.

·       Whether from experience and learning from the Wethersfield Site in Essex and the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, what had been the percentage of asylum seekers following their initial screening who had been referred to secondary or other health services and what was the ongoing impact on secondary care or other health services.  This information was to be requested following the meeting;

·       Confirmation was received that dentistry would only be provided on an emergency basis, due to the availability of dental services locally and nationally;

·       It was reported that other staff would be on site 24 hours a day which included fully trained welfare officers and other staff who were able to pick up any other issues. It was also confirmed that a full translation service would be available to residents. Reassurance was provided that the Home Office had a lot of experience in the operation of larger sites, and that experience and learning had been used to plan and operate the site at RAF Scampton;

(Note: Councillors R J Cleaver and Mrs L Hagues (North Kesteven District Council) left the meeting at 12:31pm)

·       Whether consideration had been given to organisations such as the Lincolnshire Refugee Doctors Project, who support refugees who were medically trained in their home country to register with the General Medical Council to continue their careers in the UK and support the NHS. The Committee noted that the Home Office looked for opportunities for asylum seekers to be able to link in with voluntary sector people claiming asylum. Some concern was expressed links had not been made with the Lincolnshire refugee Doctors Project, as there could be a pool of professional doctors who could be an invaluable resource. As this information was not readily available, a request would be made following the meeting; and

·       A member asked for confirmation if Serco would be managing the RAF Scampton site.  Confirmation was provided that Serco would be running the site and that there would be close working with Serco to ensure all their contractual obligations were fulfilled and that in terms of healthcare, the NHS were meeting their obligations.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the presenter.

RESOLVED

1.      That the summary report on health acre provision at the proposed Home Office development of accommodation for Asylum Seekers at the former RAF Scampton be noted.

2.      That the information provided at the meeting by the representative from the Home Office be noted.

3.      In the event of this service being implemented, a report outlining any potential negative effects on either primary or secondary NHS Services be submitted to this Committee.