Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on screening for tuberculosis in reception centres for migrants arriving in the United Kingdom.

All detainees are seen by a nurse within 2 hours of arrival at an immigration removal centre for a health screening. The purpose of the initial health assessment is to identify any immediate and significant mental or physical health needs, the presence of a communicable disease and whether the individual may have been the victim of torture.

The individual will be referred straight away to a GP if the nurse feels an issue has been identified which requires immediate attention. Otherwise detainees are given an appointment to see the GP within 24 hours.