Local Health Authorities

50 - Local Health Authorities

Purpose

Local health authorities have been receiving notifications of the arrival of NASS supported asylum seekers who have not been dispersed to their area. For example, Lanarkshire have received notifications about asylum seekers who have been dispersed to Lancashire. This is creating problems for them and extra work in NASS to rectify these errors. This is unprofessional and there is no excuse for it.

This instruction reminds caseworkers of the e-mail sent to NASS allocation on 16 October 2000 which included a hyperlink to access the NHS website with instructions for using it to identify the appropriate local health authority.

This instruction also introduces a new folder in the NASS Shr directory entitled "Health Authorities" in which any useful information from health authorities can be stored.

Using the NHS website

The website is:

http://www.nhs.uk/organisations/

This is available through the GSI internet link on Horizon. When it has been reached it should be stored in "Favourites" by clicking the right hand button on the mouse.

Caseworkers need to choose a service - this will always be "Health Authorities" - from the drop down menu. Then either select the town from the next drop down menu, or - preferably - enter the accommodation address' postcode and click on "Go". The LHA will then be identified with its address.

Storing information in the health authorities folder

Health authorities may provide lists of postcodes within their area. Where they have done these need to stored for access by NASS staff. The "Health Authorities" folder has been placed on the f-drive in NASS_shr for this purpose. Lists of postcodes for Lanarkshire and Glasgow have been placed there. Any other similar lists that have been supplied should also be placed in the folder.