Health and welfare (in London)
Health and welfare (in London)
This section provides information about organisations based in London for asylum seekers and refugees. We have included organisations that can help you find out about your entitlements to healthcare as well as those that provide services specifically for asylum seekers and refugees. A word of warning - health entitlements for asylum seekers can be confusing and are subject to change. Your legal representative, or a one-stop shop service for asylum seekers (see below) should be able to help you with this. This section is divided into the following categories:
Health services and advice for refugees and asylum seekers
Emergency services
Medical centres for homeless people
Voluntary providers and community organisations providing advice
Mental health
Specialist care for victims of torture and human rights violations
Drug and alcohol support
HIV/AIDs
NHS Direct
NHS Direct delivers telephone and e-health information services 24 hours a day direct to the public. You can phone the number above to enquire about medical conditions and treatments. The website has a health encyclopaedia, self-help guide and a 'send an enquiry' section. Use the website to find your local hospital. The local hospital manages initial healthcare provision including doctors, dentists, NHS Walk-in Centres and the phone line service NHS Direct.
Tel: 0845 4647 (Open 24 hours)
Health services & advice for refugees and asylum seekers
HARP (Health for Asylum Seekers and Refugees Portal)
Provides health information, advice and resources. The website includes different advice sections for men, women and children.
Project London
Free and confidential support run by the medical charity Medicins du Monde. The team provide some healthcare as well as information, advice and practical assistance to help you access the healthcare services you need. You can access the services directly by attending the project Monday-Wednesday, 1pm-5pm (no admission after 4:30pm)
Praxis, Pott Street, London, E2 OEF
Tel: 02081 236 614 Mobile Tel: 07974 616 852
Refugee Therapy Centre
Individual psychotherapy, group therapy, couple therapy, child and adolescent psychotherapy, family therapy, mentoring, support outreach projects, support for refugee volunteers, and supervision for professionals.
Opening times: Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm
40 St Johns Way, London N19 3RR
Tel: 02072 722 565 Fax: 02072 818 647
Emergency services
Ambulance Service
If an ambulance is needed in an emergency situation always dial 999. Dial 999 in case of a serious injury or illness. Give full details of the incident and the precise location. The injured or ill person will then be taken to the nearest hospital with an Accident and Emergency (A & E) unit.
Accident and Emergency (A&E)
If you have an urgent medical problem, you should go to the nearest Accident and Emergency unit where you will be seen by a doctor or nurse. See section below for details of walk-in centres and A&E departments.
How to find a doctor, a dentist, a pharmacy or a walk-in centre
The NHS website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ provides information on the closest doctors surgery (GP surgery), dentists, pharmacies and opticians. Just go to the "find a local health service" box, type in your postcode and choose the service you are looking for. This will provide a list of the services in the area, starting with the closest to the postcode entered. The website also provides a self-help guide.
Medical centres for homeless people
Cardinal Hume Centre – The Surgery
GP, practice nurse, psychiatrist, general counselling and alcohol/drug counselling. Open: Monday-Friday 10am-12:30pm and 2-4pm (not Wednesdays)
Arneway Street, off Horseferry Road, SW1P 2BG
Tel: 02072 228 593
Great Chapel Street Medical Centre
Doctors, nurses, dentist, podiatrist, psychiatrist and counsellors available (Tuesday and Thursday). Drugs and alcohol advice. Walk-in medical centre if you’re homeless, living in Westminster and not registered with a GP. Open: Drop-in Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (11am-12:30pm and 2-4pm). Wednesday and Friday (2-4pm)
13 Great Chapel, W1F 8FL
Tel: 02074 379 360
Homeless Action in Barnet
This centre offers medical, social and psychiatric services as well as drug and alcohol support groups and counselling. The services are available if you are homeless or living in poor quality housing in Barnet. A drop-in centre is available on Wednesday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm.
36B Woodhouse Road, North Finchley, London N12 ORG
Tel: 02084 468 400 Fax: 02084 468 480
Email: hab@h-a-b.org.uk
E1 - Homeless Medical Centre
This centre offers access to doctors or nurses as well as psychologists and mental health nurses. You can get referrals to a local dentist as well. There is a walk-in medical centre if you’re homeless in the local area. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.
9 Brick Lane, London, E1 6PU
Tel: 02072 470 090
Kings Cross Primary Care Centre
Drop-in nurses or doctors available during centre opening hours. Dentists are available by appointment Monday and Thursday 9:30-4:30pm. The centre if open during the following hours: Monday 6:30-9pm, Tuesday 2-3:30pm, Thursday 6:30-8:30pm, Friday 2-3:30pm
264 Pentonville Road, N1 9JY
Tel: 02075 305 770
Middlesex Hospital – Tuberculosis (TB) Service
Advice, screening and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) if you don’t have a GP. The service is available through a walk-in clinic on Mondays between 1:30 and 3:30 pm.
Ground Floor, Rosenheim Building, Grafton Way, WC1E 6AU
Tel: 02073 809 259
Vision Care
Sight tests, eye care and spectacles are provided for the homeless. This branch is open for walk-ins on Monday between 2pm and 7:30pm.
64 Commercial Street, E1 6LT
Tel: 07792 960 416
Voluntary providers and community organisations providing advice
African Women's Welfare Group
Provides advice on sexual health as well as HIV/AIDS support and prevention for African or ethnic minority women. There is also a mental health drop-in service as well as counselling available. Languages spoken include Arabic, Somali, Swahili, Turkish, Albanian and French. Other services include ESOL classes.
Opening Hours: Mon — Fri 9.30am 5:30pm
At the back of 594 Tottenham High Road, Tottenham, London N17 9TA
Tel: 02088 855 822
Email: awwgsaid@aol.com
AI-Hasaniya Moroccan Women's Centre
Provides advice and counselling for Moroccan or Arabic speaking woman, on health, and mental health. There is also advice on benefits, housing, education. Languages spoken include Arabic and French.
Open: Mon-Fri, 9.30am -5pm
Bays 4 & 5 Trellick Tower Golborne Road, London W10 5PA
Tel: 02089 692 292 Fax: 02089 648 843
Email: contact@al-hasaniya.org.uk
Black Women's Health and Family Support
Promotes the health of 50+ Somali women and their children, particularly in relation to female genital mutilation (FGM). There is also a health advocacy service, a carers programme, Arabic language classes as well as a Luncheon club and other activities. Languages spoken include Somali, Arabic, Twi and Ga. Opening hours are Mon-Fri, 9:30am - 5pm.
1st Floor, 82 Russia Lane London E2 9LU
Tel: 02089 803 503 Fax: 02089 806 314
Email: bwhafs@btconnect.com
Dadihiye Somali Development Organisation
If you’re a Somali refugee or asylum seeker, you can get drop-in advice on health and a GP referral service. There is also support for women experiencing domestic violence and anyone experiencing racial harassment. You can also get drop-in advice on housing, immigration, education and employment. An interpreting and translating service is available. ESOL classes are available and there is a supplementary school for children.
Open: Mon-Tues, 1pm-3pm
1a Nevern Place, Earls Court, London SW5 9NR
Email: dadihiye@hotmail.com
Hopscotch Asian Women's Centre
Health information and advice for South Asian women. There are group sessions looking at issues such as birth control and child abuse. Languages spoken include Bengali, Nepali and Hindi. The Centre serves Camden. There are also advice sessions on housing, welfare rights, homelessness, immigration, education and training. ESOL, numeracy and computing classes are also held here. There is a creche for under-fives and homecare for elderly is provided. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5pm
42 Phoenix Road, London,NW1 1TA
Tel: 02073 886 200 Fax: 02073 830 963
Innovative Vision Organisation
Offers advice on general health issues, HIV/AIDS and sexual health issues for women and young girls of African origin. Amongst the services provided are escorts to hospitals, drop-in clinics, counselling, and assistance in finding a doctor. Also provided are hospice visits, befriending, and referrals. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10am -6pm.
123 High Cross Road, London, N17 9NR
Tel: 02083 650 349 Fax: 02083 651 477
Email: info@ivorg.co.uk
West Hampstead Women's Centre
Provides health advice, information and support for women, especially for victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and rape. Counselling is by appointment only. There are also support groups for Asian, Somali, and Irish women as well as survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Opening hours: Tues-Fri, 9:30am - 5pm
The Old Kilburn Library, 26 - 30 Cotleigh Road, West Hampstead, London NW6 2NP
Tel: 02073 287 389
Email: info@whwc.org.uk
Women's Health and Family Services
Health advice, advocacy, interpreting and support is given for ethnic minority women. There are also maternity classes and one-to-one counselling on health. Advice is also given on housing, benefits, education and social services. Languages spoken include Bengali, Cantonese, Somali and Vietnamese.
The Brady Arts and Community Centre Rooms F5 & F6,192-196 Hanbury Street, London El 5HU
Tel: 02073 778 725 Fax: 02073 771 064
Email: enquiries@whfs.co.uk
Walk-in NHS Centres and Accident and Emergency (A&E)
Walk-in centres provide basic health care on a drop-in basis. They offer treatment for infection, fractures, burns, strains and emergency contraception. To find out where your nearest walk-in centre is, click on the website below and enter your postcode or address. You should be aware that some newly opened centres may offer different opening hours during their first few months.
Mental Health
GPs can only prescribe medication, such as sleeping tablets, tranquilisers and antidepressants. But if you need further help for your mental health issue, they can also make an onward referral to one or more of the following: Counselling (NHS or voluntary agency), Psychologist (qualified therapist), Psychiatrist (a medical doctor who diagnoses specific conditions and prescribes medication), or a specialist services for those who have experienced trauma, such as the Traumatic Stress Clinic (see below for details). The following organizations can help you if you have a mental health issue.
Mental Health Foundation
This website contains the latest news and events on mental health issues, as well as information on problems, treatments and strategies for living with mental distress. The site is run by the Mental Health Foundation, a UK charity working in mental health and learning disabilities.
MIND
MIND is a national charity which can offer you a variety of counselling services. The national information line provides telephone support and advice.
Tel: 08457 660 163 (national helpline)
Sane
Sane is a national charity that provides information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers through SANELINE.
Opening times: 1-11 pm
Tel: 0845 767 8000 (Saneline)
Samaritans
This organisation runs a telephone service for anyone experiencing emotional crisis and/or at risk of suicide.
Tel: 0845 790 090 (local rate, open 24 hours)
Young Minds
Information on the mental health of young people for yourself, parents and professionals.
Tel: 02073 368 445 (General Enquiries)
Tel: 08000 182 138 (Parents Information service: Monday and Friday 10 am-1 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1 -4 pm, Wednesday evening 6-8 pm)
Women's Mental Health Organisations
One-to-one counselling service for marginalized woman in Hillingdon in a women-only, confidential space (by appointment only). Special support for victims of domestic violence is also available, and there is also a drop-in information and legal advice service and pregnancy testing. Opening Hours: Mon, Thurs, 9am - 5pm, Tues, Wed, 9am - 4:30pm.
Hillingdon Women's Centre
This organisation seeks to empower and support women on their diverse journeys through life. The centre offers services ranging from counselling and advice to child care and training.
333 Long Lane, Hillingdon UB10 9JU
Tel: 01895 259578 Fax: 01895 810994
Refugee Support Service
This services provides counselling and therapeutic support for those with mental health problems, although referrals are necessary. Languages spoken include Arabic, Serbo-Croation, Spanish, French, Kurdish, Farsi, Amharic, Tigrenian, Turkish and Russian.
4D Shirland Mews, London W93DY
Tel: 02089 6864 51/61/95/97 Fax: 02089 686 497
The Refugee Therapy Centre
Psychotherapy and counselling are available for refugees and asylum seeker. Child and adolescent therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, family therapy and mentoring are on offer by referral only. The areas served include Islington and Hackney and surrounding boroughs. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm.
Della Clyne House, 40 St John's Way, London N19 3RR
Tel: 02072 722 565 Fax: 02072 818 647
The Women's Therapy Centre
Provides psychotherapy for women with mental health problems. However, a fee of £50 applies for individual consultation.
10 Manor Gardens, London N7 6JS
Tel: 02072 636 200
Specialist care for victims of torture and human rights violations
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture
The Medical Foundation is an independent charity providing a range of services for survivors of torture and organised violence. You may be offered medical consultation and treatment, medical documentation of their signs and symptoms of torture, counselling and individual psychotherapy, child psychotherapy, group therapies, physiotherapy or one of a range of complementary therapies. Referrals can be made by survivors or friends and family of survivors, as well as by health professionals, community centres, refugee agencies, solicitors etc. It is necessary to complete a referral form in order to refer a client. This can be obtained by calling the above number, writing to the above address or downloading a form from the website. Open: Monday -Friday 9 am -6 pm by appointment only.
111 Isledon Road, London, N7 7JW
Tel: 02076 977 777 Fax: 02076 977 799
The Helen Bamber Foundation (caring for survivors of gross human rights violations)
A team of body/mind therapists combine psychological and physical therapies in order to help men and women address profound physical and psychological injuries resulting from war, torture and rape. Agency or self referral. Phone for an appointment. Open: Monday -Friday 9 am - 5 pm
5 Museum House, 25 Museum Street, London, WC1A 1JT
Tel: 02076 314 492 Fax: 02076 314 493
Drug and alcohol support
London Drug and Alcohol Network
Information about drug and alcohol misuse and links to local services. To find drug and alcohol services in the borough go to the website, click on 'find a service' and click on the relevant borough on the map.
FRANK – National drugs Helpline
The website has information about finding support to combat drugs and drug use. Free leaflets are also available. The helpline provides confidential advice for people with a drug problem.
Tel: 0800 776 600 (24 hours, freephone)
Drinkline – National Alcohol Helpline
You can call this telephone helpline if you’re worried about your own drinking and support is also provided to the family and friends of people who are drinking.
Tel: 08009 178 282 (9 am-11 pm, freephone)
HIV/AIDS
Terrence Higgins Trust
The helpline and website provide information and support for anyone affected by HIV. There is Information about HIV testing and clinics.
Tel: 0207 812 1600 (general enquiries)
Tel: 0845 1221 200 (helpline open 10 am - 10 pm Monday - Friday, 12 noon - 6 pm Saturday - Sunday)
Refugee Mentoring Project
One-to-one emotional and practical support if you have HIV in London. An initial meeting will be conducted in order to assess your needs. You will then be assigned to a mentor who will help you access services including appropriate health care, skills development, ESOL or IT courses, advice on immigration, housing or benefits, volunteering opportunities an work placements. Where needed and possible, interpreters can be made available. Travel and childcare costs for service users can be reimbursed. Referrals can be made by phone, fax or email.
314-320 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8DP
Tel: 02078 121 715
Terrence Higgins trust Counselling and Group Support
Counselling service if you have HIV or are affected by HIV in London. This counselling is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Please phone for details on how to access the service.
1 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1 D 3QS
Tel: 02078 121 777
Positively Women
This organisation provides peer support services for women living with HIV and their families. Services offered include advice, advocacy, information, support groups, helpline, children/family services, and therapy. Phone or contact for an appointment. Languages spoken include French, Italian, Luganda, Swahili and other African languages. Open: Monday-Friday 10 am - 4 pm.
347-349 City Road, London, EC1V 1LR
Tel: 02077 130 222 (helpline); Fax: 02077 131 020
Oasis North London
Support and development opportunities are on offer if you have HIV. Discussion groups, peer support, fitness classes are available as well. There is also a homework club and playgroup for children. Drop-in, phone, contact for appointment, email or write. Open: Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm
Unit 2000, Regis Road, London, NW5 3EW
Tel: 02074 852 466 Fax: 02074 824 109
iCare – Islington Community AIDS Resources for Everyone
A jointly funded and co-ordinated project by Camden PCT and the London Borough of Islington. iCare provides medical, emotional and social support to those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Tel: 02073 597 829 Fax: 02073 598 247