THE MEDICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE CARE OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE

21 - THE MEDICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE CARE OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE

Emergency Accommodation

Asylum seekers supported in emergency accommodation may ask not to be dispersed from the emergency accommodation while they are waiting to be given an appointment to attend the Medical Foundation.

The arrangement with the Medical Foundation is that we will try to find accommodation in/or near London only for those asylum seekers who have been accepted as clients by the Medical Foundation.

There is no agreement to defer dispersal while asylum seekers are waiting for initial appointments.

During the interim period while the new arrangements agreed with the Medical Foundation (see Policy Bulletin 19) are being introduced, caseworkers should not consider deferring dispersal on the grounds that an asylum seeker or a dependant of an asylum seeker has:

asked for an appointment with the Medical Foundation;

been advised to seek an appointment with the Medical Foundation;

attended the Medical Foundation, but is unable to produce any evidence that s/he has been accepted for treatment;

not been accepted for treatment by the Medical Foundation, but now advises that another member of the family is seeking an appointment.

Elaine Dainty

Policy & Process Section

August 2000