Ambulance Calls to Wethersfield Asylum Accommodation Highlight Mental Health Crisis
Ambulances were dispatched to one of the Government’s flagship asylum seeker housing sites approximately three times a week last year, as reported by The i Paper. Many of these emergency calls to RAF Wethersfield, a former military base in Essex, are believed to be related to mental health issues among the residents, according to charities operating in the area.
The site was repurposed for asylum accommodation in 2023 to cut down on hotel costs, but it has faced significant controversy since its inception. Following a freedom of information request, the East of England Ambulance Service disclosed that 166 ambulance requests originated from the postcode of this remote asylum accommodation in 2024, with paramedics attending the site over 70 times. Notably, in January 2024 alone, there were 35 calls made—averaging more than one call per day.
While the East of England Ambulance Service did not specify whether all calls were directed to the site itself, the area is exclusively occupied by the asylum accommodation, leading humanitarians working there to believe that the majority of these calls were indeed for the asylum seekers residing at the location. The ambulance service refrained from commenting on the specific nature of the calls, stating only that the reasons for paramedic attendance were “varied.”
Currently, an estimated 700 asylum seekers are living on-site, as the Government plans to increase capacity from around 500 to 800, despite Labour’s commitment to closing the facility. Dr. Emma Withycombe, a GP providing medical support to these asylum seekers, believes a significant proportion of the calls are linked to mental health issues. She and her team have even called 999 for asylum seekers suffering from “very significant mental health problems.”
Dr. Withycombe, who serves as the medical activity manager at the humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), mentioned, “Many individuals report having made suicide attempts or witnessed others doing so. We’ve also encountered a small number of cases involving self-harm or thoughts of self-harm. The distress levels are high, with frequent discussions surrounding suicidal ideation. A pervasive sense of hopelessness, uncertainty, and stress is evident.”
Research conducted by MSF last year revealed that 74 percent of individuals accessing medical services at Wethersfield exhibited severe psychological distress, while 41 percent reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, alongside instances of deliberate self-harm and suicide attempts.
Dr. Withycombe further explained that many asylum seekers feel isolated from their support networks and families, exacerbated by the site’s remote location. Up to six individuals share a room, creating challenges in navigating shared spaces, particularly when language barriers exist.
Residents have resorted to hunger strikes and street protests to express their dissatisfaction with the living conditions. Reports of “almost nightly fights” have also surfaced at Wethersfield. “Many residents convey that they feel as though they are back in a prison; numerous individuals have faced wrongful imprisonment and are reminded of some of the most distressing experiences of their lives. This environment can trigger PTSD, leading to flashbacks and nightmares,” Dr. Withycombe added. “Wethersfield has a militarized atmosphere, featuring barracks, a firing range, guards, and CCTV. It is under constant surveillance.”
An official government report highlighted concerns regarding “unexploded ordnance,” radiation, and “spills and leaks” from the site’s previous military use, suggesting potential risks to human health.
Steve Smith, CEO of the charity Care4Calais, which supports asylum seekers at Wethersfield, characterized the situation as a “mental health crisis.” He remarked, “The frequent reports of self-harm and residents expressing suicidal intentions witnessed by our volunteers in Wethersfield are alarming. We have consistently argued that this prison-like environment is detrimental to individuals’ health, and these statistics reinforce our concerns. What’s particularly troubling is the prospect of increased capacity at the site, as the Government plans to expand it by approximately 60 percent. The authorities are fully aware of the health crisis in the camp but have yet to take decisive action.”
RAF Wethersfield has faced continuous calls for closure, especially after The i Paper reported alarming levels of legionella bacteria—known to cause the potentially fatal lung condition, Legionnaires’ disease—detected on site. The Government has allocated over £350,000 to defend the use of the facility following a legal challenge by four asylum seekers, who alleged that the conditions infringed upon their human rights. The legal costs are expected to rise as the case remains unresolved.
A Home Office source stated that the welfare of individuals is of paramount importance, emphasizing that everyone housed at the site has round-the-clock access to welfare officers, a GP service, and mental health support.
- For confidential advice and support, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
