Project to vaccinate asylum seekers in 'city of sanctuary'
Nimbuscare is helping to meet the healthcare needs of refugees in York.
A group of GP practices is helping to vaccinate asylum seekers in York.
Nimbuscare says many refugees have been in houses of multiple occupancy in York since the pandemic hit, and have a variety of healthcare needs.
Paul Mackay, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Priory Medical Group, has been carrying out initial health assessments to identify their medical needs, including any allergies, previous medical history, immediate medical problems and to offer them health screening.
Access to healthcare is provided during their time in York, including access to a GP, referral to a specialist and vaccinations for Covid-19.
Maddy Ruff is the CEO of Nimbuscare, and told Greatest Hits Radio: "This is a group who has often had difficulties getting into the country; they've been trafficked, or they've arrived in small boats and have been escaping persecution.
"They have a variety of healthcare needs which we try and meet. York is a city of sanctuary, so we try and welcome asylum seekers into York and provide them with the best possible service we can.
"I think it's been very well received. They don't stay with us very long and we don't always know when they're going to move on, so it's a case of doing our very best for them while they're in York.
"We try and deliver a very compassionate and supportive service to a group of people who have often had the most dreadful things happen to them before they arrive in England".
More details on the project can be found here.