In my own words: Dr Frank Arnold

In my own words: Dr Frank Arnold

“In my own words” is a new initiative from The Testimony Project providing a platform for women refugees and those who support them to speak out about issues close to their heart.

Dr Frank Arnold is a founder of and the clinical advisor to the Medical Justice Network, or Medical Justice, as it’s usually known, an organisation that exposes and challenges inadequate healthcare provision to immigration detainees in the UK. A fierce – and outspoken - opponent of the inequities of the detention system, he has examined and written medical reports for over 500 asylum seekers.

Why do you do the work that you do?

In 2005, I was asked to see a couple of Zimbabwean hunger strikers in Harmondsworth Detention Centre. These guys had been without food for 35 days. One of them was so weak that I had to lift him up to put him on the couch - he was skin and bone.

That summer I saw six people in detention. All had been on extended hunger strikes. All were said to have exhausted their appeal rights. And all now have status. In other words, when an asylum seeker goes on a hunger strike stating they have been denied access to justice, it is overwhelmingly probable that they are telling the truth.

Approximately once a week I get a phone call or an email from a lawyer or even a patient saying ‘Hey, I’ve got status.’ That’s kind of nice. And I suppose that’s the reason I continue doing what I do.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue for asylum seekers in the UK?

The culture of malignant disbelief on the part of the Home Office and the pressure on case workers to maximise the number of people removed and to minimise the number of people who get status.

Beyond that, I think the detention process is truly evil. Firstly, remember that anyone who is in detention is there waiting for an administrative decision, not a conviction. If they are in detention they are not serving time for crimes. They are subjected to the most abysmal and appalling healthcare and they’re roll-called four times a day. Anyone who has been tortured is almost inevitably severely traumatised by the experience.

What change in Government policy would you like to see?

It would be good if the Government could comply with their existing policies. They don’t. If they complied with these policies approximately half the people in detention wouldn’t be there.

What is one piece of advice you would give an asylum seeker living in the UK?

Get a good lawyer.

How can the ordinary person on the street help to improve the situation for asylum seekers?

By informing themselves of what the realities are. People do not come seeking asylum in order to cheat the system; they come because they are desperate.

Second, every time you hear racist or xenophobic chatter when you are in a pub or at work, challenge it.

Third, get involved with one of the organisations. Medical Justice is one, Helen Bamber Foundation is another, the Medical Foundation is third. The list is endless, including The Testimony Project. 

What is the greatest challenge you have faced?

Controlling my rage and disgust when I see so-called care in detention. That’s my honest answer.

What do you regard as your greatest achievement?

My contribution to helping set up Medical Justice.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life?

The answer is probably my partner. Her generosity, her courage and her expertise in social work have all been tremendously helpful in this area of work.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

It was probably from the guy who was then Legal Officer for Medical Foundation Care of Victims of Torture just before my first visit to a detention centre. He said treat it like research.

What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for?

Helping save lives.

Why does story telling matter?

For some people it is a way of making sense of awful things that have happened to them.

What is your motto?

‘I have discovered a talent for constructively annoying authority and I intend to keep on doing it.’