Title

HEAR: The health and wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Contact details

Ashra Khanom - a.khanom@swansea.ac.uk

Principal / Lead investigator

Helen Snooks

Co-investigators / research team

Dr Ashra Khanom, Professor Ann John, Dr Alison Porter, , Matthew Jones, Dr Ather Hussain, Dr Victoria Williams, Rebecca Scott, Cathrin Manning, Dr Melody Rhydderch, Rocio Cifuentes, Tracey Sherlock, Samuel Moyo and Grace Rungua

Type of study

Primary study

Summary

Public Health Wales have asked Swansea University to find out how asylum seekers and refugees access health care from the National Health Service (NHS) in Wales. During the HEAR study, Swansea University have worked with Public Health Wales, Welsh charities to find out how people access NHS services, what problems they may have, and what has worked well for people. We also interviewed health professionals for their views.

How could this research potentially benefit patients?

We think that collecting information directly from asylum seekers and refugees will help improve NHS services. By them contributing answers, thoughts and feelings, they will help us to gain a better understanding of a patient’s experience of NHS care.

Public / patient involvement

Our PPI representatives attended study meetings, assisted in data collection and will input the review of the final report.

Funder

Public Health Wales   

Total grant value

£ 44,956

Amount accruing to Wales

£ 44,956

Start date

01/01/2018

End date

12/10/2018

Further information (e.g. related web link)

• Project summary on Displaced People in Action website: https://www.dpia.org.uk/our-work/research-and-impact/
• Project summary on DPIA website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/news/50761
• Project summary on BMA website: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/ethics/refugee-and-asylum-seekers-health-resource/useful-resources

Outputs generated (Reports / Publications / Impact) 

• Report completed and available online:
  • The Health Experiences of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Wales - Executive Summary 
  • The Health Experiences of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Wales - Technical Report 
• Oral presentation of the study at the 999 EMS Research Forum Conference Birmingham 1-2 April 2019
• Oral presentation of the study at the Sanctuary at the Senedd event 3 April 2019
• Poster presentation at the EMS Madrid 2019 conference 27-29 April 2019 
• Stakeholder event, Cardiff, 22 May 2019
• Oral presentation: ‘Health Experiences of Asylum seekers and Refugees (HEAR): findings and recommendations from a qualitative study’ HSRUK 2020 

Impact

• News story, 2nd April 2019: Sanctuary seekers and health professionals in Wales call for accessible health and wellbeing services for all – new report

Health Experiences of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Wales (HEAR2):

As part of the HEAR2 study, peer researchers who are asylum seekers or refugees themselves, will be collecting data from others in the community. As well as working with our team, some members of the group have been involved in a BBC documentary telling the stories of some of those who have come to Wales seeking safety, as well as producing a podcast about their experiences.

HEAR 2 - Participant Information Sheet

Download the HEAR 2 Participant Information Sheet here.

Oral presentation: ‘Health Experiences of Asylum seekers and Refugees (HEAR): findings and recommendations from a qualitative study’ HSRUK 2020