Brief description of the problem
Currently, for failed asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and other “irregular migrants” it is up to the discretion of individual GPs to decide whether to register them as patients. And the fact is that some already refuse.

To make things worse, the government has proposed a change to the law, which would bar access altogether, taking away any discretion. This would undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on some of the most vulnerable people within our society.

Read the minutes of MdM last seminar "Proposed changes on access to primary healthcare for undocumented migrants".

What you can do?
With this information, it is crucial to take action! Acting immediately is essential as the government will soon make a decision regarding the proposed changes to the regulation.

- Contacting your MP directly by letter writing and e-mail can be extremely effective.
• Emphasize the fact that you are their constituent.
• Include your name and contact details.
• Be direct, make specific requests.
• Use www.theyworkforyou.com to send a message immediately (no fuss)

- Urge your friends, family and work colleagues to also contact their MPs. The greater and wider the scope of involvement the better!

- Organize information meetings and invite community members such as faith leaders, activist groups, as well as professional and corporate organizations.

- Get the debate out there. Your letters to newspaper editors can have a tangible effect on public perceptions of the rights (or rather unfortunately the lack of them) of failed asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. Consequently these letters can have a real influence on the direction of government policy.
State your opinion/viewpoint as clearly and directly as possibly.

letters@guardian.co.uk
letters@independent.co.uk
letters@thetimes.co.uk
letters@telegraph.co.uk
letters@dailymail.co.uk
comment.is.free@guardian.co.uk
response@guardian.co.uk

- Sign the petition that opposes changes to the law to access to primary care. Download the petition or sign the online petition
Please return any completed petitions to Médecins du Monde UK - 14 Heron Quays - London E14 4JB

Students in particular
Arrange a meeting at your university with the help and support of on-campus charities and humanitarian aid organizations. We can help to arrange speakers.

Doctors in particular
Sign the petition that was created by doctors, for doctors.
www.gopetition.co.uk/online/15682.html

You can also participate in BMA pre-meetings and work with fellow colleagues to submit motions for consideration.

Lawyers specifically
Emphasize the issue within the profession and amongst your colleagues.
Inform your clients about the work of Project: London.
Volunteer to provide your legal advice to our patients on a referral basis.

Relevant articles that have been written recently about this issue:

Cast aside and left to die by New Labour (Socialist Worker Online)
Failed asylum seekers and primary care (BMJ Sudent)
Failed asylum seekers face healthcare ban (The Guardian)

A conference on "Health and Migration in the EU" was held in Lisbon under the auspices of the Portuguese presidency. It has brought together health ministers from across the European Union, each of whomwere presented with a set of 25 "best practices" in the field of migration and health care. Featured among them was the first European study conducted by Medecins du Monde on access to health care.

Fort his first Observatory, the network has chosen to focus its attention on the most vulnerable groups with which the 12 Medecins du Monde organisations in Europe work: migrants, and in particular undocumented migrants.

The information presented in this report is unique: there are no national, or more importantly, international studies that have complied information about these groups.

Download the full report at:
http://www.medecinsdumonde.org.uk/doclib/130006-rapporteumdm.pdf