Dispersal of HIV positive asylum seekers: national survey of UK healthcare providers

doi:10.1136/bmj.38189.674213.79

BMJ 2004;329:322-323 (7 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.38189.674213.79 (published 26 July 2004)

Paper

Dispersal of HIV positive asylum seekers: national survey of UK healthcare providers

S Creighton, consultant in genitourinary medicine¹, G Sethi, specialist registrar², S G Edwards, consultant in genitourinary medicine¹, R Miller, reader in clinical infection³

¹ Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Camden Primary Care Trust, Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6AU, ² Department of Genitourinary Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY, ³ Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, London WC1E 6AU

Correspondence to: S Creighton sarah.creighton@camdenpct.nhs.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

In April 2000, the UK National Asylum Support Service starteda policy of dispersing asylum seekers from London and southeastEngland to alternative locations around the United Kingdom inan attempt to spread the cost of care.¹ Although the numberof people with HIV who are affected by this policy is unknown,more than 100 000 asylum seekers have so far been dispersed,many of whom are from regions with HIV/AIDS epidemics.² Asylumseekers may only receive 48 hours' notice, and, if they declinedispersal, then they face immediate cessation of income, housing,and legal support. Decisions about the dispersal of HIV positiveasylum seekers should take into account expert medical and professionaladvice as dispersal may detrimentally affect the health of HIVpositive asylum seekers.³ We asked doctors working in genitourinarymedicine about their experiences and opinions of the dispersalof HIV positive asylum seekers.

Participants, methods, and results

We sent an anonymous . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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HIV - Disease Dispersal Dementia: Martin F Brewster
bmj.com, 8 Aug 2004 [Full text]
None are less deserving than others: susanne mccabe
bmj.com, 9 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Was this a national survey of healthcare providers?: Peter J Flegg
bmj.com, 9 Aug 2004 [Full text]
To hell with British people who need help: Pat Davis
bmj.com, 17 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Re: To hell with British people who need help: Joseph C Watine
bmj.com, 17 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Asylum seekers need protection and care but not just in England!: Kathir G Yoganathan
bmj.com, 18 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Re: Re: To hell with British people who need help: Dr. Naseem A. Qureshi, MD, IMAPA, LMIPS
bmj.com, 18 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Re: Asylum seekers need protection and care but not just in England!: susanne mccabe
bmj.com, 19 Aug 2004 [Full text]
You spread a fire, you will reap a fire!: Edwin M. Mapara
bmj.com, 19 Aug 2004 [Full text]