The 0-19 service, made up of health visitors, school nurses, nursery nurses, staff nurses and specialist nurses, was recognised for its supportive role to those seeking sanctuary in the City.
Often families seeking asylum have unmet complex public health needs, which are further compounded by trauma, impacting on both their physical and mental health.
The 0-19 service, which is part of Newcastle Hospitals, provides a full health and wellbeing assessment to people seeking sanctuary in the city to help identify any needs that require additional support from the NHS, partner or voluntary organisations.
The team worked closely with our local GP services and community mental health teams to support with their mental health needs. They were also part of a wider network of specialist support that met weekly to ensure that services were co-ordinated in the most beneficial way to those in need.
An example of public health partnership working; it was evident that there were a large proportion of health referrals were dental-related so staff worked closely with Newcastle Dental University to organise a drop-in event.
There, families received dental resources, spoke with healthcare professionals and were offered oral health advice.
The families the team have worked with have also supported the 0-19 service in making health improvements in practice by sharing their experiences and stories, motivating the changes they have made to ensure future families will receive the care that they so rightly deserve.
Now, the team’s work has been recognised by Newcastle City Council and City of Sanctuary through the ‘City of Sanctuary’ Award* which celebrates organisations who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary.
It is also the first time a 0-19 service has received the award in this country.
Marie Huscroft, head of nursing for children at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “We’re delighted the service has received this accolade as part of our commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives in the city and accesses healthcare.
“This is an award the celebrates compassion, inclusiveness and excellent care and highlights the work of the team in supporting those seeking sanctuary.”
Becky Humphreys, Specialist Health Visitor Complex and Vulnerable Families for the 0-19 Service, added: “ Receiving this award demonstrates the commitment and pride we as a service feel in supporting our most vulnerable families in reaching their full potential. The team’s passion for identifying and responding to the health needs of people seeking sanctuary is evident, they share good practice throughout the 0-19 service and Newcastle NHS Foundation Trust and National 0-19 services including the IHV (Institute for Health Visiting)”
Rosie Tapsfield, Director of Operations for City of Sanctuary UK said: “The Sanctuary Awards appraisal panel were all incredibly impressed with the work of the 0-19 service. It was clear that work relating to sanctuary has been developed, honed and refined, with many examples of best practise evidenced throughout the application.
“There was a real sense of commitment, passion and buy-in for the work across the service and they should be proud of what they offer to families who are seeking sanctuary – we look forward to seeing what they are able to achieve over the next three years! Congratulations and thank you for all of the hard work that has gone into the work.”
