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<p>The Home Office is meeting all its statutory duties to accommodate asylum seekers.
Due to increased demand on the asylum system it has necessary to use temporary accommodation
– this accommodation has always been safe, secure, and funded by the taxpayer</p><p>Refugees,
asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers can register for and receive primary care
free of charge in the same way as any other patient in any nation of the UK.</p><p>We
work closely with our accommodation providers to ensure that all asylum seekers in
supported accommodation are aware of, and have access to, Migrant Help’s helpline.
This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if service users need help,
advice or guidance, including signposting to relevant mental and medical health services.
Regular welfare checks are conducted on service users, including behavioural monitoring
of those who show signs of vulnerability, and where appropriate safeguarding referrals
are made to relevant bodies.</p><p>The safety and health of people in the accommodation
estate is of the utmost importance. The Home Office has robust contingency plans in
place and continues to follow national guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE)
and the National Health Service (NHS).</p><p>Our providers have put in place a range
of measures and additional support to enable households to comply with public measures
on social distancing and self-isolation.</p><p>Guidance has been issued to all service
users in a range of languages relating to hygiene, washing hands, social distancing,
coronavirus symptoms and what to do if they become symptomatic.</p><p>We keep the
use of contingency asylum accommodation under review, according to the availability
of more long-term asylum accommodation.</p>
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