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The (Northern) Irish Experience of Migration “The boot is on the other foot”

This article explores the experience of emigration in Northern Ireland, focusing on the two major cultural/religious identities - Irish Catholic and British Protestant - as well as the indigenous ethnic minority of Irish Travellers. It also examines the ethnic mix of Belfast, both historically and recent changes, and the challenges faced by inward migrants in accessing health and social services. The article highlights the strong equality and human rights legislation in place, as well as the efforts of the North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust in promoting racial equality and providing services for ethnic minorities. The main issues going forward include the reform of public administration, the increasing migrant worker population, and the need to connect with BME communities and individuals.

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The (Northern) Irish Experience of Migration “The boot is on the other foot”

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  1. The (Northern) Irish Experience of Migration “The boot is on the other foot”

  2. Main experience is emigration, not immigration • 2 major longstanding cultural/religious identities in Northern Ireland • -Irish /(Roman) Catholic • -British /Protestant • Indigenous ethnic minority-Irish Travellers (Catholic)

  3. The Ethnic Mix of Belfast • Pre –2000 • Chinese – largest minority ethnic community • Irish Travellers • Long established Jewish Community (small & declining) • Mixed ethnicity 2nd largest category • Smaller number Indian, Pakistani, Black Caribbean etc.

  4. The Ethnic mix of Belfast Contd…….. Recent Changes • Health Sector Recruitment • Philippines, India (Mostly Catholic) • Agriculture/Food industry Recruitment • (mainly outside Belfast) • A10 accession-major flows

  5. National Insurance Applications April 2003 - June 2005 - Northern Ireland 31421 Non- UK/ROI nationals 8978 April-June 2005 Alone (Overall population 1.71m)

  6. Main Sources

  7. Belfast –A tale of two cities North & West Belfast -Highly disadvantaged -Hub of “the Troubles” South & East Belfast -More affluent overall -Less affected by conflict -University area -where ethnic minorities tended to settle

  8. Current Health and Social Service Governance in Belfast • Eastern Health and Social Services Board commissions services • Family Doctors, Dentists,Opticians- Independent contractors • 4 Hospital Trusts • 2 Community Health and Social Services Trusts • Boundaries not co-terminous with local government

  9. Accessing Health and Social Services • Family doctor and most health care free • Some flat rate charges, with exemptions, if documented • Some social services means tested • Most services can be accessed by migrants • Refugees and asylum seekers can access services

  10. Problems for inward migrants • Language difficulties • Poor knowledge of a complicated health/social care system • Different cultural and religious beliefs • Exploitation by private sector employers • Racist attitudes and behaviour • Weak BME community support infrastructure

  11. Strong Equality and Human Rights Legislation since Belfast Agreement (1998) • Race Relations (N.I. Order 1997) • Section 75, Northern Ireland Act (1998) • Equality, Human Rights Commission established

  12. What North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust has been doing • Equality and Human Rights Working Group • Ethnic Minorities Sub-group • Promoting Racial Equality Policy-Jan 2005 • Implementation Plan-October 2005 • Needs Assessment project in Partnership with 2 local Hospitals Trusts

  13. Services already in Place • Telephone language help line • Access to pre-booked Interpreting Services • Good Practice Guide • Website for Health and Social Care Professionals • (www.workingwithdiversity.org) • Other training for Service Managers and staff

  14. Report of Needs Assessment project • Main findings:- • Need to:- • Find ways of extending existing good practice • Standardise and increase uptake of basic staff training levels • Develop ethnic monitoring of services uptake • Support B.M.E. community engagement on health/social care issues

  15. Main issues going forward • Context • Extensive reform of Public Administration across N. Ireland • 4 Hospital, 2 Community Trusts to be merged • New commissioning arrangements • Stronger role for local government

  16. Main Issues Going Forward Contd….. • Rapidly expanding migrant worker family population • Accurate figures hard to access • Poor B.M.E. Community Infrastructure

  17. Connecting with BME Communities and Individuals • Issues • Develop strategy for increasing awareness of services and how to access them • Need to improve our understanding of B.M.E. perceptions about our services • Mainstream approaches or Targeted approaches?

  18. Connecting with BME Communities and Individuals • Issues Contd…… • - How to extend our reach into B.M.E Communities • translating information about services • Lay health workers? • - Paid or voluntary? • - Capacity building for Community Organisations

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