Fighting against NHS fees for pregnant migrant women

Delegates to UNISON’s women’s conference voted through a vital motion this morning, pledging to fight the NHS fees for pregnant women. Presenting the motion, Milton Keynes branch secretary Mary Moore explained that the fees are designed as part of the UK’s “hostile environment for migrants”. For pregnant women, this comes in the form of violent and degrading policies, forcing health workers to act foremost as border control and debt collectors instead of as health providers. If a woman is pregnant and seeking asylum, or does not have secure immigration status in the UK, they can expect to be charged £7,000 for giving birth. In the event of birth complications arising, the cost can rise to tens of thousands. Furthermore, under current rules, patients with debts of £500 or more that are outstanding for two months must be reported to the Home Office. This can result in future immigration application refusals or even deportation. Ms Moore said: “One of the penalties of unpaid debt is deportation. For asylum seekers, this means going back to oppression, war, FGM and torture. “Even worse: she’ll have to take her new born baby back to that environment with her. I know of women who have sold everything – including themselves – to avoid that fate.” There is no doubt that women subjected to this treatment experience huge distress, which is exacerbated by previous experiences of trauma and abuse, and the fact that they have moved to the UK to find sa...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2020 Women's Conference health hostile environment immigration Midwives unison women Source Type: news