Family members of 21 seriously ill Ukrainian children airlifted to the UK, amid much government fanfare, fear they may never see them again because of delays in visa processing.
The children, who were flown to the UK on 13 March, have cancer and some are receiving end-of-life care. For others the prognosis is more encouraging. Of the 21 families in the UK, 18 consist of a mother and a child. Many are being accommodated in hotels, which are difficult to live in when parents are spending long periods by their children’s hospital bedsides.
The charity Refugee Action, which is supporting some of the children and their families, has condemned their treatment by the UK government. Charity workers say these families should be granted automatic refugee resettlement, which provides permanent accommodation along with support and leave to remain in the UK.
The relatives do not have automatic family reunion rights, even though they have left immediate family members behind in Ukraine, including siblings of the sick children. They will be expected to fill out two application forms in order to secure the right to stay in the UK for three years and bring over other people in their family.
The children are being cared for in six NHS hospitals in England that specialise in paediatric cancers, after being airlifted in a joint operation between the prime minister’s office, Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office. The UK government had responded to a call from the Polish government to help look after some of the sick children who were being cared for by Polish health professionals. The UK partnered with St Jude’s children’s research hospital, a non-profit American organisation specialising in paediatric diseases, to bring the children over.
At the time the scheme was announced the prime minister said: “The sickening suffering of innocent civilians in Ukraine is truly horrific. This vital lifesaving medical care is another important step in our support for the people of Ukraine and their resistance against Putin’s illegal invasion.”
Lou Calvey, the head of services and safeguarding at Refugee Action, said: “These families were confronting their worst fears even before the Ukrainian conflict began. It is shameful that the government has spent time issuing press releases trumpeting the arrival of these children instead of finding ways to support them to be together in their darkest hours.
“While we welcome the government providing medical support to these families, we remain shocked as to why some of them have remained separated due to visa restrictions. The cruelty of this ‘computer says no’ approach has never been more clear.
“We are calling on the government to do the decent thing by automatically giving these families the same three-years leave as those arriving via the Homes for Ukraine scheme and to bring over their close family members as a matter of absolute urgency.
“These children and families are the most vulnerable. Some families are juggling care of their sick child with care for other children who are here with them. Other parents are desperate to bring over siblings and other family members left behind in Ukraine.
“All the children are exceptionally unwell and their families are traumatised. We have seriously let these families down.”
After the announcement of the airlift, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “I am proud that the UK is offering lifesaving medical care to these Ukrainian children, who have been forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion while undergoing medical treatment. I know that the incredible staff in the NHS will ensure they get the best possible care.”
A government spokesperson said: “It was right the government used the quickest mechanism possible to bring these families to the UK so they could receive the best medical care and support. They have full and unrestricted rights to benefits and housing support and this support will continue in the long term.
“Working closely with local authorities, we have provided them with accommodation and support so the families can rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. This includes securing long-term accommodation near to the hospitals the patients are being treated in.”
