Access to, and experiences of, healthcare services by trafficked people : findings from a mixed-methods study in England

Westwood, J; Howard, LM; Stanley, N; Zimmerman, C; Gerada, C; Oram, S

Abstract

Background
Trafficked people experience high levels of physical and psychological morbidity, but little is known about trafficked people’s experiences of accessing and using healthcare services during or after their trafficking experiences.

Aim
To explore trafficked people’s access to and use of healthcare during and after trafficking

Design
Mixed methods study (cross-sectional survey comprising of a structured interview schedule and open-ended questions).

Setting
Trafficked people’s accommodation or support service offices in locations across England.

Method
Participants were asked open-ended questions regarding their use of healthcare services during and after trafficking. Interviews were conducted with professionally qualified interpreters where required. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results
136 trafficked people participated, 91 (67%) female and 45 (33%) male. Participants reported being trafficked for domestic servitude (n=40; 30%) sexual exploitation (n=41; 31%) and labour exploitation (e.g., agriculture, factor work) 52 (39%). One-fifth (n=26, 19%) reported access to health care services while trafficked, most often general practitioners (GPs) surgeries and walk-in-centres. Many reported that traffickers restricted access to services, accompanied them or interpreted for them during consultations. Requirements to present identity documents to register for care and poor access to interpreters were barriers to care during and after trafficking. Advocacy and assistance from support workers were critical to health service access for trafficked people.

Conclusions
Trafficked people access health services during and after the time they are exploited, but encounter significant barriers. GPs and other practitioners would benefit from guidance on how trafficked people can be supported to access care, especially where they lack official documentation.

Citation

Westwood, J., Howard, L., Stanley, N., Zimmerman, C., Gerada, C., & Oram, S. (2016). Access to, and experiences of, healthcare services by trafficked people : findings from a mixed-methods study in England. British Journal of General Practice, 66(652), e794-e801. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X687073

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 27, 2016
• Deposit Date: Aug 17, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 28, 2017
• Journal: British Journal of General Practice
• Print ISSN: 0960-1643
• Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 652
• Pages: e794-e801
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X687073
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X687073
• Related Public URLs: http://bjgp.org/
• Additional Information: Projects : Optimising Identification, Referral and Care of Trafficked People within the NHS