Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39845262›Full record

ArticleJournal of migration and health2025

Effects of UK hostile environment policies on maternity care for refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants in Camden: Examining the experiences of healthcare professionals and community organisations.

Poppy Pierce, Haleema Adil, Tiffany Kwok, Catherine Cooke, Deveney Bazinet, Kate Roll, Sara L Hillman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of migration and health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Poppy PierceMedical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Haleema AdilMedical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Tiffany KwokDepartment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Catherine CookeInstitute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Deveney BazinetInstitute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Kate RollInstitute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Sara L HillmanInstitute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The London borough of Camden has long been home for many refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants (RASUs). Over time, it has witnessed an increase in the population of these migrant groups, accompanied by notable changes in the obstacles they encounter when seeking health services, particularly maternity care. We explore how the 'hostile environment' policies affect access to and delivery of quality maternity services for RASUs. Methods: This study was conducted over eight months (November 2021-July 2022) both remotely and face-to-face, in various locations in Camden and in the Maternity Department at University College London Hospital, UK. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) and community organisations (COs) were identified as two major stakeholders involved in the care provision for RASUs. 33 semi-structured interviews were conducted (with 22 HCPs and 11 COs) to understand their experiences of delivering care to this population. Results: There was consensus among HCPs and COs that the current immigration policies undermined their duty of care, personal morals, and the principles of the NHS. These policies have created a restrictive environment, making it increasingly difficult for migrants to navigate the healthcare system and creating an atmosphere of distrust, propagating fears of being charged. This has led to HCPs and COs going beyond their remits to ensure that RASUs are accessing and engaging with maternity care, regardless of an individual's status and despite any potential repercussions for themselves. Conclusion: In the face of an intensifying hostile environment under the UK government, supporting RASUs cannot be solely reliant on political measures. We need to advocate for healthcare navigator roles, health justice partnerships, specialist teams, and comprehensive training for service providers. HCPs and COs should be adequately supported in their endeavours to ensure RASUs have access to standardised, high-quality maternity care.

Indexed as

Healthcare accessHealth policyHostile environmentImmigration policiesMaternity careMigrant health

Identifiers

PMID39845262
PMCPMC11751534

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.