Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

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Barriers to accessing care for irregular migrants and those with uncertain immigration status
(including visa overstayers, 37 refused asylum seekers, victims of trafficking and women on
dependant visas escaping domestic violence) are common. According to current rules
governing access to healthcare these categories are not entitled to some services, for instance
free hospital care, except for emergency care or treatment for HIV. Such restrictions on access
mean that there is currently a stratification of rights to healthcare in the UK. 38
There is evidence of poor antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes (asylum seeker and refugee
women make up only 0.03% of the population but 12% of all maternal deaths 39 ) and low uptake
of preventative healthcare measures concerning breast and cervical cancer. 40 Research has
shown that compared to white women born in the UK, BME women born outside the UK had
poorer information provision and were less likely to be treated with respect by staff. 41 The UKBA
policy of dispersal to cities across the UK on the basis of accommodation availability also
impacts on the continuity of care for pregnant asylum seekers. It may increase health risks and
undermines the NHS’ strategic focus on improving health outcomes for women and babies. 42
(See Article 9 and Appendix: 7 for further information)
Lesbian and bisexual women’s health
Lesbian and bisexual (LB) women report high levels of dissatisfaction with the health system
and discrimination by healthcare professionals. They face barriers to accessing breast
screening and have higher rates of breast cancer. 43 They also face barriers to appropriate sexual
health services and being open about their sexual orientation with GPs. 44 LB women have higher
incidents of alcohol use and report higher rates of depression, anxiety, as well as self-harm,
eating disorders, suicide and suicidal thoughts. 45
There is a continued lack of appropriate health services and discrimination in existing services
for LB women. In the first instance it is difficult to find out if LB women are subject to any greater
risk of particular health conditions in comparison to other groups because the information is
not collected or collated centrally. There is also a need to identify and target specific health
measures for LB women in order to ensure improved physical and mental health in the longer
term. 46 Stonewall found that only 2% of LB women had attended a service tailored towards
their needs. Staff are also often not trained adequately which can lead to confusion, stress and
discrimination. 47 Specifically tailored health services are needed to meet LB women’s needs
37. International migrants who remain resident in a country after their legal permission to stay (‘leave to remain’) has expired.
38. Jayaweera, H. (2011) Briefings: Health of Migrants in the UK: What do we know? The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford http://
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/briefings/health-migrants-uk-what-do-we-know
39. Lewis, G. (2007) Saving mothers lives: Reviewing maternal deaths to make motherhood safer 2003-2005. The seventh report on
confidential enquires into maternal deaths in the UK. The Confidential Enquiry into maternal and child health (CEMACH): London http://
www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/Saving%20Mothers%27%20Lives%202003-05%20.pdf
40. Aspinall, P. and Watters, C. (2010) Research Report 52: Refugees and asylum seekers: A review from an equality and human rights
perspective. EHRC: Manchester http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/refugees_and_asylum_seekers_research_
report.pdf
41. Redshaw, M. and Heikilla, K. (2010) Delivered with care: A national survey of women’s experiences of maternity care in 2010. National
Perinatal Epidemiology Unit https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/files/downloads/reports/Maternity-Survey-Report-2010.pdf
42. Department of Health (2010) NHS Outcomes Framework for 2011/12. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-outcomesframework-2011-to-2012
43. Breast Cancer Care (2011) Breast Cancer and inequalities: A review of the evidence http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/campaigningvolunteering/policy/breast-cancer-inequalities
44. Hunt, R. and Dr. Fish, J. (2008) Prescription for Change: Lesbian and bisexual women’s health check. Stonewall: London http://www.
stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change.pdf
45. Hunt, R. and Dr. Fish, J. (2008) Prescription for Change: Lesbian and bisexual women’s health check. Stonewall: London http://www.
stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change.pdf
46. Women’s Resource Centre (2010) In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women’s services in the UK. WRC: London http://
thewomensresourcecentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/IAOC.pdf
47. Women’s Resource Centre (2010) In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women’s services in the UK. Briefing 10: LBT women and
health. WRC: London
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