A Health Watchdog Has Slammed The Government's Latest Proposals For Dealing With Refugees.>

A HEALTH watchdog has slammed the Government's latest proposals for dealing with refugees.

Enfield and Haringey Health and Race Committee (HRC) says the Asylum Bill will put the health of refugees at risk.

It is estimated that there are 25,000-30,000 asylum seekers in the two boroughs.

The committee is made up of members of the local health authority, community health councils, and racial equality councils.

It also includes representatives from Haringey Council and the Black and Minority Ethnic network.

The report reads: "In its attempt to discourage bogus claimants, the proposals put the physical health, mental health and sometimes lives of genuine refugees in jeopardy.

"The policy of support in kind dehumanises an already persecuted and traumatised group."

The Asylum Bill will take away the right of asylum seekers to normal welfare benefits.

Instead it will introduce a cashless system of `support in kind' using vouchers, designed to discourage bogus claimants.

A national agency will run the scheme, organising accommodation and other services.

Under the new system, applications for asylum would have to be processed within six months.

Asylum seekers will also be dispersed round the country to relieve the burden on London, which currently houses most refugees.

But the HRC report argues that the system will isolate asylum seekers and cut them off from vital mainstream health services.

And it suggests GPs may be unwilling to permanently register asylum seekers because of the six-month rule on dealing with cases.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of Enfield and Haringey Health Authority tomorrow.

The meeting is public and takes place at 2pm at Holbrook House in Cockfosters Road, Cockfosters.

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