Shadow Immigration Minister Bell Ribeiro-Addy has suggested current immigration policy may be discouraging migrants from coming forwards for medical treatment in the NHS.

Pointing to concerns over limited Government efforts to engage affected communities, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Streatham and Shadow Immigration Minister said:

“The Hostile Environment remains a powerful barrier to people coming forwards for medical assistance. The Government has stated that Coronavirus testing and treatment will be free for migrants but has done nothing to publicise this fact.

“There are many reasons people from migrant communities might be reluctant to come forwards for treatment: fear that their status might be exposed, confusion over possible treatment costs, or even the knowledge that they could be charged if it transpires they require treatment for something other than Covid-19.

“Above all, what puts many off is the general mistrust and fear instilled by the Home Office over a number of years as they consciously tried to made life miserable for migrants.”

Ends

For further information about this press release, please contact Ollie Collard, Communications Officer, Office of the Shadow Immigration Officer, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP at oliver.collard@parliament.uk.