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Poles 'embarrassed' to seek help | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of Poles living in the Highlands are self-medicating because they are too embarrassed to register with a GP, according to a Polish group. | Thousands of Poles living in the Highlands are self-medicating because they are too embarrassed to register with a GP, according to a Polish group. |
Zosia Wierbowicz-Fraser, chairwoman of the Inverness Polish Association, claimed many did not want to explain their illness through an interpreter. | Zosia Wierbowicz-Fraser, chairwoman of the Inverness Polish Association, claimed many did not want to explain their illness through an interpreter. |
She said they were also worried that they would have to pay to register as they do in Poland. | She said they were also worried that they would have to pay to register as they do in Poland. |
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said the issue was concerning. | The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said the issue was concerning. |
Mrs Wierbowicz-Fraser said about 2,500 of the 8,000 Poles living in the Highlands were not registered with a GP. | Mrs Wierbowicz-Fraser said about 2,500 of the 8,000 Poles living in the Highlands were not registered with a GP. |
Some are self-medicating and are having medicines sent to them from Poland Zosia Wierbowicz-Fraser | Some are self-medicating and are having medicines sent to them from Poland Zosia Wierbowicz-Fraser |
She said: "Every second Pole I speak to has not registered. | She said: "Every second Pole I speak to has not registered. |
"They are scared that they will have to pay to register and to get good treatment as they do in Poland. | "They are scared that they will have to pay to register and to get good treatment as they do in Poland. |
"Some are self-medicating and are having medicines sent to them from Poland." | "Some are self-medicating and are having medicines sent to them from Poland." |
Mrs Wierbowicz-Fraser added: "If you are not under the care of a doctor how on earth do you know what the long-term effects of what you are taking will be?" | Mrs Wierbowicz-Fraser added: "If you are not under the care of a doctor how on earth do you know what the long-term effects of what you are taking will be?" |
However, she said the community has a good working relationship with Inverness's Raigmore Hospital where more than 50 babies have been born to Polish mothers in the last year. | However, she said the community has a good working relationship with Inverness's Raigmore Hospital where more than 50 babies have been born to Polish mothers in the last year. |
Free care | Free care |
The BMA said it was the right of every citizen in Scotland to have access to free health care. | The BMA said it was the right of every citizen in Scotland to have access to free health care. |
A spokeswoman said: "Polish people should be made aware of their rights. | A spokeswoman said: "Polish people should be made aware of their rights. |
"For certain minor ailments you can see a pharmacist, but where a Polish person has concerns about their health they shouldn't feel that they cannot seek medical attention." | "For certain minor ailments you can see a pharmacist, but where a Polish person has concerns about their health they shouldn't feel that they cannot seek medical attention." |
Our hospital and community midwives have a range of literature to give to Polish women when they have their first appointment Midwifery manager Angela Watt | |
NHS Highland said a welcome pack was available for the Polish community which included information on how to register with a GP. | |
Midwifery manager Angela Watt said: "Our hospital and community midwives have a range of literature to give to Polish women when they have their first appointment. | |
"These include leaflets about the routine blood tests, special screening tests and also more in-depth books in Polish such as a guide to parenting for birth up to three-years-old." | |
Meanwhile, the Inverness Polish Association is holding a gathering in the city on 6 May to mark their homeland's constitution celebrations. | Meanwhile, the Inverness Polish Association is holding a gathering in the city on 6 May to mark their homeland's constitution celebrations. |
This is traditionally held on 3 May, but is being staged in Inverness three days later to avoid the council and Scottish parliamentary elections. | This is traditionally held on 3 May, but is being staged in Inverness three days later to avoid the council and Scottish parliamentary elections. |
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