Health visitors' perceptions of barriers to health and wellbeing in European migrant families.

Since 2004 the population of European migrant workers and their families living in the UK has increased. In 2012 a small qualitative pilot study was conducted involving interviews with eight health visiting professionals working in a Merseyside borough in the north west of England. Health visitors were asked about their perceptions of barriers to health and wellbeing faced by European migrant families and common challenges experienced in practice. Interviews were analysed thematically and interpreted using a constructivist approach. Multiple perceptions emerged regarding migrant families'barriers to health and wellbeing; housing; language; and health service access, knowledge and attitudes. Health visitors provided confirmation of their important role within the public health agenda, identifying vulnerability and challenging inequalities particularly among minority ethnic and lower socio-economic groups. This study highlights areas for future consideration by public health and other agencies, particularly wider determinants of health and barriers in accessing health, public and community services. However, further quantitative and qualitative research is needed to investigate the needs, inequalities, service use and barriers to health and wellbeing experienced by European migrants.