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tre to carry out a health needs assessment of the
Chinese population in Shropshire. One of the key drivers for this assessment was the fact
that Chinese were the largest single ethnic minority group residing in Shropshire County,
according to the 2001 Census.
Shropshire County PCT is responsible for primary and community care in the County and
also runs community hospitals and mental health services. The PCT also provides services
(e.g. mental health services) to people living in Telford & Wrekin. The Chinese population
count was 737 in Shropshire County and 542 in Telford & Wrekin in the 2001 Census. This
health needs assessment presents the qualitative views and experiences of Chinese
residents of Shropshire County and Telford & Wrekin as users of health services.
Although it is acknowledged that many factors determine health, including education,
housing, employment etc., this study focussed primarily on health care provision and should
be described as a ‘healthcare’ needs assessment.
The main aim of the study was to develop a profile of the Chinese community in terms of
health service use and health care needs. The key questions posed in addressing this aim
were:
What are the experiences of local Chinese people as users of health services?
What do the local Chinese community perceive as being their main health needs?
A two-part approach was taken to gather the views of the Chinese population in both
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. Firstly, a qualitative assessment was made through group
discussion and semi-structured interviews in order to identify issues that were of particular
concern. Secondly, a postal survey was conducted using a self-completion questionnaire.
As the gatekeepers to the health service and the first point of contact for most health service
users, a short questionnaire was sent to all GP practices in Shropshire to survey their views
on the health needs of Chinese patients.
The findings are reported here together with recommendations throughout for addressing the
needs identified in the study.
2. Chinese in Britain
The first objective of this study was to construct a profile of the Chinese community using the
information available. In order to better understand the nature of the Chinese community in
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, the population needs to be considered in the context of the
national Chinese population, both in its history and demographics.
2.1. A timeline
Late 19th century The first Chinese to arrive in Britain were the seamen employed on
British merchant ships in the late 1860s. By the late 19th century, they
had settled in ports such as Limehouse in London and Liverpool.
1950s – 1960s Land reforms and the collapse of the agricultural industry in Hong
Kong resulted in a second wave of migration as farmers left to seek
work in the UK. The 1948 British Nationality Act that gave New
Commonwealth citizens the right to live and work in Britain made this
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possible. This Act also opened the door to arrivals from the former
British colonies, such as Malaysia and Singapore, who brought with
them specialist skills, such as nursing.
1970s – 1980s The end of the Vietnam War marked another phase of Chinese
immigration with ethnic Chinese forming nearly 80% of the
Vietnamese refugee community in Britain.
1990s – present The return of Hong Kong to China