Healthcare Access for Human Trafficking Survivors in the United Kingdom
Ashley Wade, BA | September 22 | 11:15 am-12:15 pm
Topic: Research, Healthcare | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
In 2019, the United Kingdom was ranked as the country with the best government response to human trafficking in the world (Walk Free Foundation). The UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act was groundbreaking, and it mandated the creation of healthcare guidelines for trafficking survivors. However, despite the UK’s advanced policies, there was little research on how well the government was fulfilling their commitment to survivors’ healthcare needs. This project engaged existing scholarship, UK policy documents, and qualitative research interviews to answer the research question, “How well is the UK government meeting female trafficking survivors’ needs for healthcare access?” Thirteen interviews were conducted in 2021, seven with survivors and six with support workers, on their experiences with the UK healthcare system. Findings focused on the five areas of healthcare the government outlines in their statutory guidance for how the healthcare system should serve survivors: access to interpreters, trauma-informed medical staff, routine and emergency care, psychological services, and cost-free healthcare. Results indicated that the government is failing to fully meet the needs of survivors in accessing interpreters, trauma-informed care, routine and emergency care, and psychological services, and it is succeeding in free access to healthcare. Additionally, findings indicated the charity sector plays a crucial role in meeting these needs for survivors in areas that the government fails to do so, primarily through providing interpreters, helping with doctor registration, and finding survivors psychological counseling. This presentation concludes with recommendations to improve the UK healthcare system’s responsiveness to survivors, including fast-tracked care and survivor-specific clinics.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of the qualitative research study, including the UK-specific background, the research question, methodology, and findings
· Amplify the voices of the survivors interviewed by providing specific quotes to illustrate findings
· Describe recommendations for ways the UK healthcare system can better serve survivors