Floating prisons and ex-military bases: large asylum accommodation sites harm health

Last week, the Bibby Stockholm, the UK government’s floating prison barge intended to house people seeking asylum, was evacuated after Legionella bacteria was found. This comes after several health and safety warnings about the government’s plan, including the Fire Brigades Union branding it a “death trap.”1 Large accommodation sites remain a priority of the government’s asylum policies, but these further undermine the human rights to health and safety of people seeking asylum. This system places NHS professionals under constant pressure to deliver primary care services to large, vulnerable groups of people.The 222 bedroom Bibby Stockholm is to accommodate 500 people seeking asylum. Local residents are worried about the impact on local NHS services, although NHS Dorset has clarified that asylum seekers will not register with local GP practices and instead services have been commissioned with additional Home Office funding.2 It remains uncertain, however, whether on-site arrangements—a qualified senior healthcare professional…
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