Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle misinformation relating to (a) migrant access to NHS services and (b) accommodation of asylum seekers.

As my Rt. Hon. friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said on 9 September 2024, the Online Safety Act will be the Government’s key tool in combatting online mis- and disinformation.

The Department recognises the importance of reducing barriers to services for migrants, and encourages these groups to access the National Health Services’ they are entitled to. The Government has published the Migrant Health Guide, which sets out guidance on the services which migrants are entitled to receive. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migrant-health-guide

The Department of Health and Social Care works with the Home Office to ensure asylum seekers have access to health care. The Home Office will ensure that the asylum system operates fairly, and processes claims quickly.

The Department of Health and Social Care, along with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, are in the final stages of agreeing the principles, objectives, and priorities of a National Partnership Agreement which will set out the common aspirations to support the health and wellbeing needs of people seeking asylum. They will also support local systems, like integrated care boards, local authorities, voluntary, community, and social enterprises, and others, in delivering these locally.

NHS England has been working with the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence to support access to healthcare services for people on protection and resettlement routes, as well as people seeking asylum. NHS England has also worked with the Home Office to improve support during the Move On period, when people are granted leave to remain, and any change of accommodation.