A refugee group fears people carrying contagious diseases have been refused medical treatment in Hammersmith and Fulham.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has said that people suffering from infectious illnesses should always be treated to protect the public's health.

Last Monday the Hammersmith and Fulham Refugee Forum announced it is asking refugee groups if members have ever been refused treatment.

Spokesman Phil Cooper said refugees could be harbouring tuberculosis, a deadly bacterial lung disease, or other infections and viruses which are little-known in this country but could be brought in from other parts of the world.

He said: "People might be living here in a destitute situation, or have come from one, where they have picked up diseases and could spread them quite rapidly."

By law, doctors and hospitals cannot turn away asylum seekers even if their claim for asylum has failed.

This advice was given at an NHS open day at the Irish Cultural Centre in Black's Road, Hammersmith, last month (pictured), to discuss the walk-in HIV testing service that now operates in the borough.

West London Centre for Sexual Health's Dr Charlotte Cohen said the Government is trying to enforce a 2004 law that denies some groups of asylum seekers and immigrants access to doctors and hospitals in what was said to be a bid to curb what was called 'health tourism.

The BMA opposed the move, saying that there was no evidence there was a substantial problem.

Now the Refugee Forum has said it will pass information from people refused medical treatment to the borough's primary care trust.

Mr Cooper added: "There may be some confusion because government-imposed restrictions were overturned last year by the High Court.

"The Government appealed against this in November and the Appeal Court decision is still awaited."
Patients must still be treated while the decision is being made.

If anyone had been refused they can contact the primary care trust, NHS Hammersmith and Fulham, which would allocate them a GP.