Family Early Help
Are Ukrainian Refugee Families Entitled to Healthcare?
Yes they are. Refugees, asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers can register for and receive primary care free of charge in the same way as any other patient in any nation of the UK. This is because immigration and residency status have no bearing on a patient’s entitlement to register with a GP practice.
All refugees can access the full range of secondary care services free of charge in the UK.
Some NHS services are chargeable, but refugees may qualify for full or partial help with health costs under the low income scheme. You can find more information here (scroll to the bottom of the page):
How to Support Ukrainian Families to Register with a GP
Getting registered with a GP will be one of the first and most important things to do. Find the nearest GP surgery to the family's address on this link here (insert postcode, then click the 'please select' box to find primary care) Camden Council: Find nearest?
You can also find a list of all Camden GP surgeries, and information about how to register, on this Guidebook link GP Surgeries and Mobile Health Bus | Family Early Help (camden.gov.uk)
Translated Information About the NHS and Registering with a GP
Doctors of the World have produced translated material on a range of health topics, from navigating the NHS to how to register with a GP - see link below
TRANSLATED HEALTH INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS - Doctors of the World
Chargeable NHS Services
some NHS services are chargable including:
The scheme covers:
If you are on Universal Credit, you are entitled to full help with health costs. You can find more information here Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
The NHS Low Income Helpline number is 0300 330 1343.
Opticians/Eye Tests
Children get free eye tests and you can book an appointment direct with an optician. Adults claiming Universal Credit should also be able to get free eye tests.
If the parent is claiming Universal Credit, they should get help with any eye prescription costs including glasses and lenses for themselves and their children. This is under the NHS Low Income Scheme, more information here Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and information about help with costs of glasses and lenses here Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
We also understand that Ukrainian adults are also entitled to free tests. More information, including the process for opticians to follow, is here ABDO clarifies free eyecare provision for Ukraine refugees - ABDO
Emotional Support for Refugees
The Red Cross have produced a number of wellbeing booklets, including coping with trauma as an adult or child. You can find them there Help for Ukrainian nationals in the UK (redcross.org.uk)
Thrive London have created a guide for hosts to help address the concerns or worries of displaced Ukrainians. You can find it here
Thrive-LDN-Helping-with-displaced-Ukrainians-concerns-or-worries-v0.1_singles.pdf (thriveldn.co.uk)
If you want help or advice about emotional health for refugees, you can contact the Tavistock's Refugee Support Service - information here Children's & Adolescent Services - Tavistock Centre - Tavistock and Portman NHS FT - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Links to Camden Health Services
The Guidebook has sections giving you information and links to a range of health services and support in Camden, all of which are available to refugees in the bridging hotels
- Physical health (including doctors, hospitals, dentists etc) https://ascpractice.camden.gov.uk/early-help-guide/family-early-help-covid-guidebook/health/
- Emotional health (including mental health services and pathways for children and adults) https://ascpractice.camden.gov.uk/early-help-guide/family-early-help-covid-guidebook/keeping-families-emotionally-well/
COVID Vaccination
All Ukrainians arriving in the UK can access COVID vaccination for free. Here is an NHS England letter about COVID vaccination translated into Ukrainian