WORK carried out across Bradford district and Craven and other parts of the region to make healthcare accessible to refugees and asylum seekers has won recognition.

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has been named a Partnership of Sanctuary.

It's the first organisation in the country to be awarded the status.

City of Sanctuary granted the accolade after assessing the partnership's activities to provide "safe, welcoming and accessible" healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers.

Initiatives spearheaded by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership have included measures to understand and help address inequalities, the creation of a support network for migrant health communities, and the co-funding of an animation to help people navigate NHS services.

An event to celebrate the status was attended by guests including healthcare and council leaders, sanctuary seekers and representatives of community organisations.

Robin Tuddenham, from the partnership, described the accolade as "an incredible achievement".

He added: "I’m really proud of the work we’ve done to secure this award.

"The place where you live shapes you, and you shape the place, whether that's somewhere you have always lived or you've just arrived.

"West Yorkshire creates a welcome, and is somewhere where we care. It’s fantastic that we are encouraging inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for people forced to flee their homes."

Rob Webster, chief executive officer lead for the partnership, says: "Achieving the status is recognition of our ambitions and a reflection of our values as a partnership.

"We will continue to learn from people seeking sanctuary to develop services where refugees, migrants and asylum seekers can flourish, thrive and live healthy lives. In doing so, we will enrich the way we work in ways that will benefit everyone."

The award was presented by Jeff Morgan, a City of Sanctuary trustee, who congratulated the partnership.

He added: "One of the many reasons the opportunity to become a Partnership of Sanctuary was started was to give back dignity and purpose to people who have lost everything – supporting them to achieve their potential."

Dr Sohail Abbas, of Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, says: "Being a Partnership of Sanctuary is about creating a place where people belong, not where people are made to fit in. We’ve achieved a great milestone and the journey will continue."

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has produced a video outlining its Partnership of Sanctuary ambitions, which can be viewed at youtu.be/-4pxJw4M9uE.