People seeking asylum and refuge in the UK face unique complexities when it comes to accessing healthcare, including the ways in which their personal health data is collected, used, and shared. In particular, the connections between migration enforcement and the NHS have created deep-seated concerns, affecting health-seeking behaviour and experiences.
There are a host of barriers to these communities’ understanding of and confidence in health data practices, such as language and cultural differences making administrative processes such as GP registration difficult, or fear of discrimination or even deportment if they share particular information about their residence, ethnicity, or health conditions. In particular, historical policies which have sought to link these individuals’ health and immigration data have significantly eroded trust in how their health data is being used, and likely further deter vulnerable people from seeking the care they need.
These issues - and how to address them - can only be meaningfully explored through public engagement, led by people with strong connections within communities of those seeking asylum and refuge.
Therefore, UPD is commissioning an engagement project to learn from these groups about their understanding and perception of health data collection, use, and sharing, with the intention of generating impactful change which builds trust, improves transparency of communication, and ultimately improves access to and experience of care.
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Please read the full Invitation To Tender below for more information. The deadline for proposal submissions is 5pm on Friday 14th November 2025.