Support for refugees
Below is some key information to help refugees access health and care services in the UK. If you need any help finding a health or social care service please get in touch.
Arriving in the UK
The Government has put together guides in various languages for refugees arriving in the UK. This includes important information on accessing healthcare, benefits, essential public services, education and housing.
How the NHS works
How The NHS Works’ is a leaflet with images which has also been translated into Ukrainian.
Visit our Find Services page to find services and support near you.
Adult Social Care services
Urgent NHS dental care
If you or a family member needs to access urgent NHS dental care you can learn more about this below:
What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?
For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Healthwatch England outlines your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.
This page also explains how to find a local pharmacy, optician and dentist.
First Aid
St John Ambulance provides first aid guidance and support. Find translated resources at their website.
Social prescribing
Social prescribing can support you with any non-medical needs you may have, by linking you to sources of help. If you choose to use the service, you will be assigned a Social Prescriber, or Living Well Coordinator, who will initially provide up to eight sessions of support. They can help with issues such as emotional wellbeing, finances and benefits, family, relationships and parenting, employment and skills, social networks and healthy lifestyles.
To access the service, ask any member of staff at your GP practice for a referral.
Northumberland County of Sanctuary
Northumberland County of Sanctuary runs a weekly drop-in in Ashington, Bedlington and Blyth. These sessions are friendly, informal and open to anyone going through the asylum system to find out more about education, healthcare and housing services.
Cost of living information and support
Our cost of living information page gives details of organisations which can offer support with energy costs, prescription and healthcare appointments costs, food, and mental health.
This information is available in: easyread, Arabic, Bengali, Kurdish, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian. We can also provide large format copies. If you would like any printed copies of the booklet in any of these formats, please get in touch and we will post to you free of charge.
Accessing NHS 111
The following information has been translated into Ukrainian and explains how to access the NHS 111 service.
To access NHS 111 in another language, you just need to say “interpreter” to the call handler and then say the language you wish to communicate in.
The Healthcare Navigator Service
Northumberland County Council’s Healthcare Navigator Service is open to anyone in Northumberland who is experiencing difficulties in accessing healthcare. The Healthcare Navigator will listen without judgement, create individual support plans and signpost you to relevant services.
Email: hcn@northumberland.gov.uk to get support.
Patient transport
There is support available to help with transport costs to healthcare appointments.
If you’re referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
Find out more about the patient transport options available on our Find Services page.
Useful contacts
Northumberland County Council
Age UK Northumberland
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Education and skills
Here you will find information about schools and colleges, term and holiday dates, adult courses, apprenticeships, enrolment and support.
Healthwatch England
Information and advice on health and social care
Refugee Council
The North of England Refugee Service
British Red Cross
Practical and emotional help for refugees and asylum seekers
Migrant Help UK
Support for asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process
Right to Remain
A guide to the UK immigration and asylum system
Being Woman
Educating and empowering women and the wider community by promoting diversity, equality and justice for all.
Healthwatch Northumberland
We are your local health and social care champion. We’re here to make sure your views on NHS and social care services in Northumberland are heard.
