Responding to the Illegal Migration Bill receiving Royal Assent, RCN Chief Nursing Officer, Nicola Ranger, said:
“Today marks a backwards step in the way we treat those fleeing persecution. This law will undermine people’s fundamental right, which are enshrined in international law, and have a catastrophic impact on their health and wellbeing.
“This cruel law – which has been criticised by leading UN human rights experts – will put refugees and people seeking asylum in even greater danger by making it harder for them to apply for asylum and in turn access health services. We are deeply concerned for the health and well-being of those held in detention facilities which will only become even more overcrowded with this change in law.
“Nursing staff, who are on the frontline of health and care services each and every day, are doing all they can to support the refugees and people seeking asylum that they treat but this will add to a system that is already stacked against them.
“We are calling on the UK Government to comply with its international and legal obligations, and ensure adequate health care provision for refugees and those seeking asylum in the UK.”
Ends
