Left out in the cold
This report was prompted by our awareness of the cuts over the last few years which are affecting a broad range of healthcare services, specifically specialist sex worker services throughout London.
As an organisation, DOTW is interested in identifying gaps in support for people excluded from healthcare and other services, and so began conversations with partners, including colleagues at LSHTM, to see how we could broaden our understanding of this issue, and to understand better what sex workers were asking for in terms of support.
The relocation of the DOTW clinic to Newham two year ago was one of the reasons we cho...
Source: Doctors of the World News - July 15, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Dominic Stevenson Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Welcome to the normal of an undocumented migrant – Joseph’s story
This Refugee Week, Doctors of the World are introducing the members of its National Health Advisors, an advisory group of people with lived experience of migration and healthcare exclusion, to ensure migrants have a greater influence over healthcare policy and practice.
Joseph is one of the DOTW National Health Advisors, and he wants to share his story with you. – In March 2020, I had some severe symptoms of COVID-19. I was struggling to breathe so I phoned 111 and was told to go to A&E. When I arrived, I saw a big sign outside and inside the A&E saying that you ...
Source: Doctors of the World News - June 17, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Britney Sacopon Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
DOTW clinic reopens
Doctors of the World Clinic in Stratford, east London, is now open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am. There will be a limited number of drop-in appointments on the day.
If the clinic reaches capacity, service users will be turned away or signposted to alternate providers. We will priortise offering our limited appointments to:
• People experiencing homelessness;
• People facing digital exclusion (no access to phone etc needed for remote consulting);
• People with safeguarding concerns or concerns regarding their social situation;
• People with an acute medical need.
To avoid a wasted journey, wh...
Source: Doctors of the World News - June 15, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Dominic Stevenson Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Why we care – Meet the DOTW National Health Advisors
This Refugee Week, Doctors of the World are introducing the members of its National Health Advisors, an advisory group of people with lived experience of migration and healthcare exclusion, to ensure migrants have a greater influence over healthcare policy and practice.
Migrants with lived experience of health exclusion know the negative impact of policies and services that don’t include them, and their voice and insights should be at the centre of changing perspectives among the general public, as well as playing an essential role in ensuring that DOTW takes well-informed decisions and provides inclusive services. Th...
Source: Doctors of the World News - June 15, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Dominic Stevenson Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Putting migrant voices at the heart of our organisation
This Refugee Week, Doctors of the World are introducing the members of its National Health Advisors, an advisory group of people with lived experience of migration and healthcare exclusion, to ensure migrants have a greater influence over healthcare policy and practice.
Migrants with lived experience of healthcare exclusion know best the impact of policies and services that affect and are available to them. Their voices and insights should be at the centre of changing attitudes among the general public, making well-informed decisions, ensuring services are inclusive, and driving sustainable policy chan...
Source: Doctors of the World News - June 14, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Dominic Stevenson Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
“There’s so much deprivation on your doorstep”: The volunteers tackling health inequalities, one phone call at a time
“I think volunteering at Doctors of the World really humbles me because I’ve had access to healthcare all my life. But to see how difficult it is for some members of the population in this country, it’s an eye-opening experience… there’s just so much inequality and so much deprivation on your doorstep.”
Ga Kitada is a fourth-year medical student at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in London. He’s also a Doctors of the World UK (DOTW) volunteer.
During Volunteers’ Week, June 1-7, we’re honouring Ga and some 100 others who selflessly give their time to DOTW and keeping our clinics...
Source: Doctors of the World News - May 28, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Britney Sacopon Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Video: See inside Doctors of the World ’ s new mobile medical clinic
Doctors of the World (DOTW) is committed to going where others won’t, to provide life-saving medical care and support to excluded communities.
We recently took delivery of a second mobile doctor’s clinic, which will help our outreach staff and volunteers reach even more people in need.
In this short clip, Outreach Coordinator Fatima gives a tour of the custom-built van.
Converted by Stanford Coachworks, the van contains everything our mobile clinic team needs to provide basic medical care on the road.
Being mobile means our staff and volunteers can go directly to communities that may be scar...
Source: Doctors of the World News - April 9, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Britney Sacopon Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Doctors of the World launches project to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines
Doctors of the World UK (DOTW) has launched a project to ensure that everyone in the UK has access to COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of immigration status.
As well as producing translated COVID-19 information resources, DOTW will play a proactive advocacy and coordination role in the roll-out of the UK’s vaccination programme, under its new COVID-19 Vaccine Advocacy Project.
It is essential that everyone living in the UK is included in this programme, regardless of immigration status, both from a public health perspective and a moral one. But some communities face being missed in the roll-out.
At the sharp end of...
Source: Doctors of the World News - February 4, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Kim Vlasic Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Five ways you can help people access healthcare (and feel good) during Lockdown 3.0
England is in lockdown again. With the constant upheaval and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed.
That’s why we wanted to let you know how Doctors of the World is responding and what you can do to help people who will need to see a doctor during this time.
With many businesses closed and health services under pressure amid rising COVID-19 cases, it’s even harder for the most vulnerable and at-risk people in our communities to access healthcare and support.
Doctors of the World’s services will continue to operate as they have done since March. The advice line will remain open and our c...
Source: Doctors of the World News - January 15, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Kim Vlasic Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Seven moments that mattered in 2020
Whatever your experience of COVID-19 has been, it’s undeniable that we and the world we live in have been altered irrevocably.
What hasn’t changed is Doctors of the World’s determination to ensure universal and equitable access to healthcare, both at home and abroad.
As we begin a new year, the pandemic continues to hit the most vulnerable in our society hardest.
Health and social inequalities have widened. New barriers to healthcare have emerged, with the rapid shift to online healthcare leaving those without the means to access it cut off from vital care and support.
Our staff, volunteers and supporters...
Source: Doctors of the World News - December 23, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Kim Vlasic Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
International Migrants Day: The young refugee women spreading hope and acceptance
Shaima is a young refugee woman from Afghanistan.
GMD was born in Angola and dreams of becoming a civil engineer.
Sumia is 19 and from Balochistan, a region divided among Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. She loves art and trying new things.
Together these three young women are spreading hope and acceptance at a time when we need it most, as millions in the UK prepare for tougher restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases, and on International Migrants Day.
“I hope the new year (2021) start with lots of joys and a life filled with happiness. May this new year bring a peaceful and healthy life.” – Shaima, a yo...
Source: Doctors of the World News - December 18, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Kim Vlasic Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Many migrants are struggling to access remote HIV tests – but we can work together to help them
This article originally appeared in The Independent.
The post Many migrants are struggling to access remote HIV tests – but we can work together to help them appeared first on Doctors of the World. (Source: Doctors of the World News)
Source: Doctors of the World News - December 1, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Britney Sacopon Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Born in exile
Doctors of the World (DOTW) is delivering vital medical care and humanitarian aid on the Greek island of Lesvos, where thousands of vulnerable men, women, and children live in refugee camps. Earlier this month, our team was called to a medical emergency…
There were dramatic scenes on Lesvos as a woman started going into labour in the new refugee camp built in the wake of September’s wildfires.
The medical facilities in the camp are far from sophisticated but as the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby, there was no time to wait for an ambulance to take the mother to the hospital.
Fortunately, our hig...
Source: Doctors of the World News - November 27, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Britney Sacopon Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Press release: Doctors call for closure of military barracks housing asylum seekers amid health concerns
Housing asylum seekers and survivors of torture and modern slavery in military barracks during a global pandemic is clinically inappropriate and puts migrant lives and public health at risk, warn UK healthcare professionals.
They have written to the Secretary of State for the Home Office and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to urge them to close barracks housing asylum seekers in England and Wales amid growing concern about conditions in the camps, residents’ complex health needs and poor access to healthcare, and the lack of COVID-19 measures in place.
The joint letter has been coordinated by Doctors ...
Source: Doctors of the World News - November 26, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Kim Vlasic Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
Five ways you can help people access healthcare (and feel good) during Lockdown 2.0
England is in lockdown again. With the constant upheaval and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed.
That’s why we wanted to let you know how Doctors of the World is responding and what you can do to help people who will need to see a doctor during this time.
With many businesses closed and health services under pressure amid rising COVID-19 cases, it’s even harder for the most vulnerable and at-risk people in our communities to access healthcare and support.
Doctors of the World’s services will continue to operate as they have done since March. The advice line will remain open and our c...
Source: Doctors of the World News - November 12, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Kim Vlasic Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news
