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Enhancing Migrant Health and Wellbeing in Belfast

Explore the challenges and strategies to improve the health and social care services for migrants in Belfast. Delve into issues like language barriers, cultural differences, health problems, and social isolation.

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Enhancing Migrant Health and Wellbeing in Belfast

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  1. Migrant Health & Wellbeing in Belfast Leslie Boydell Associate Medical Director, Public Health Belfast Health & Social Care Trust 5th February 2010, Brussels

  2. Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Purpose: to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities Business: to deliver safe, modern, cost-effective health and social care 20,000 staff

  3. Population • N Ireland: 1,775,000 • Belfast: 325,000

  4. Migration in N.I. • 1970’s / 80’s - Net emigration • 1990’s - Balanced migration • >2000 - Net immigration and population growth • >2004 - Rapid increase from A8 @65,000 to NI (04-08) 2/3 from A8 Construction and Manufacturing 2% of population in Belfast

  5. Sources of information on Migration • Health card registration • Worker Registration Scheme for A8 but not A2 countries • Work permits for those outside EU • National Insurance number registrations • School census for children with English as a second language

  6. Health Card Registrations • Increase by 50% between 2005-2007 • Registrations 07 - 19,400 08 - 15,400 > 50% A8

  7. Main applicants to Workers Registration Scheme 04-06 Poland 7,050 Lithunania 3,255 Slovakia 2,170 Total 14,395 (04-06) Year to June 07 9100 Year to June 08 7800

  8. Work Permits 04/05 08/09 Indian 760 315 Philippines 685 85 Ukraine 530 <20 Roumania 265 20 Pakistan 420 <20 China 255 130 Bulgaria 115 290

  9. English as an additional language 08/09 • Primary 4660 - 2% population • Secondary 2142 - 1% population

  10. Births to mothers born outside NI Almost doubled between 2001-2006 from189 to 365 In 2008, 9% of all births to mothers born outside NI, from 3% in 2001 50% from new EU states

  11. Issues • Language (Within HSC, requests for interpreting service increased dramatically 2004-2007 - Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish) • Access to information • Lack of understanding for the system • Isolation • Employment (exploitation and unrecognised qualifications) • Cultural differences and religious needs

  12. Issues continued • Racial prejudice and harassment Hate crime, mainly assaults and criminal damage - 315 incidents in S.Belfast 08/09 under reported • Housing – overcrowding homelessness child exception

  13. Health Problems • Diabetes - 12.4% Asians, 8.4% Black 5.4% NI • Mental health • High levels of suicide in Lithuanians • Drugs and alcohol Eligible for GP services and emergency care

  14. Poverty • Especially child poverty • Especially A8 and A2 countries • Asylum seekers paid allowance 30% less than benefit level • A8 workers very vulnerable to economic downturn • If not worked continuously for 12/12 or registered with WRS no access to benefits • A2 limited access to labour

  15. Issues continued • Poor organisational leadership • Need for co-ordination and inter-organisational collaboration • Need for professional training and support • Inadequate statistics • Small numbers from many countries with diverse needs

  16. Study of Health Visitors’ caseload • Language – husbands interpreting for wives • Mobile families – no history of immunisations • High demand on professional time • Not registered with GP – go directly to A&E • Don’t know how to access services and support • Low car ownership • Social isolation • Work long hours • Child protection issues • Child health problems • Postnatal depression • Domestic violence

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