COMPARE THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A UK ADULT CITIZEN AND A Essay

COMPARE THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A UK ADULT CITIZEN AND A REFUGEE OR ASYLUM SEEKER BOTH LIVING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN TERMS OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY - Essay Example This essay compares the rights and responsibilities of Asylum seekers and adult U.K citizens in terms of health and social security. The United Kingdom adult citizens exercise their rights and responsibility of contributing to the issues of health and social securities by voting and raising public opinions to the government. In contrast, the contribution of asylum seekers in these issues is minimal due to language barriers. The government tries to involve them by providing them with channels to communicate and give their decisions regarding the issues affecting them (NRIF, 2006: CRC, 2004). For instance, the ‘English for Speaker of other Languages’ program aimed at teaching English to this group of people (ISE, 2005: Ragu, 2008). This effort aims at improving their communication abilities so that they can be able to take up their rights and responsibilities. All adult citizens of U.K. have an absolute right to the National Hospital Services (NHS), which includes free medical treatment and care. On the other hand, not all Refugees and Asylum seekers receive this facility (Aspinall & Watters, 2010, p.23). Those asylum seekers who have not received permanent residence confirmation from the government cannot access this facility. They have access to the medical services but at their own cost (Palmer & Ward, 2007). Those who have received confirmation enjoy national health services (NHS) without any payment (Crawley & Crimes, 2009). All adult citizens in U.K. have the right to register with a general practitioner of their choice free of charge. If a general practitioner cannot register them, he or she should give a substantial reason in writing to explain the cause (CIC, 2007). Contrary, refugees and asylum seekers may apply with general practitioners (Lee, 2006: Refugee Council, 2005). However, the general practitioners have the right to consider such applications and decide whether to accept them or