Latin American Women’s Right Service Focus Group Findings 17 th December 2013

Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) Human Rights based org supporting needs of migrants Practical & emotional support, learn skills and improve opportunities Facilitating access to local services Part of CLAUK network

Profile of the Latin American Community Estimated 113,500 in London (‘‘No longer Invisible People’’ 2011) Highest concentration in Southwark & Lambeth No official national statistics National low take up of welfare & public services 1/5 not registered with GP and 4/10 haven't seen NHS Dentists (based on ‘‘No Longer Invisible People’’ survey) Officially recognised as a separate ethnicity by Council (Sept 2012) Lambeth (Oct 2013)

What we did Survey Focus Group discussion 16 people booked, 29 people turned up.

Aims 1.Key challenges or barriers in accessing services 2.Needs specific to the community 3.Ways to offer a ‘‘good quality services’’ 4.Best way to receive information, and to obtain information from

1. Challenges to access services Language Access – register, booking an appointment, getting an interpreter Quality – child interpreters, medical understanding from interpreters, miscommn. Information Where or how to get info Pathways: treatments, services provided & not provided, entitlement to what

2. Needs specific to Latin Community Cultural characteristics Social care dynamics (elderly & child care) Difficult/embarrassing to speak about topics – esp. sexual health Male professionals & female sexual issues Females from traditional cultures – felt ‘under scrutiny’ Sensitivity, support, compassion esp. to migrants who may not have information Felt their needs were ignored, not taken seriously

3. What is a good quality service…? Representative staff Education on system, services & pathways available Accessing specialist services and tests Knowing when an interpreter or language line is needed A single place to get information in spanish Cultural & Diversity training

4. Best way to receive information? Website / Post Workshops Easy/single place to get info & signposting How can we /bodies get information? Easier to make complaints and/get advice Easier to leave feedback on services (Where?!) Including Latin American ethnicity into their data monitoring

Recommendation themes (Draft) Including Latin American ethnicity in data monitoring Clear & easier registration process (‘‘Access) HW: monitor, LAWRS: log Access to Interpretation / Screening (‘‘Inequality’’) HW: info sheet at primary care, & hospitals, ; LAWRS: log / monitor Information sessions on system and access (‘‘Empowerment’’) HW/LAWRS: workshops Cultural & diversity awareness HW: Influence ; LAWRS: log /monitor

Other ways (& work)… Mapping staff population Partnerships with LAWRS and other bodies, to facilitate community feedback, & distribute information Support to complain and /or feedback (Voice ability)

‘‘…to cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always…’ ‘‘..sometimes care is more important to a patient…’

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