Doctors are gearing up to deal with an influx of Kosovan refugees due to arrive in Bradford next week.

They face the difficult task of maintaining services to existing patients while caring for the new arrivals.

A board meeting of the North Bradford Primary Care Group in Shipley yesterday discussed how to respond to the needs of around 90 refugees from the first wave of 160 flying into Leeds-Bradford airport. A further 140 are expected later this month.

Meeting them will be a team of three GPs, a district nurse and a health visitor as well as Bob Isgrove, Bradford social services northern area manager.

Mr Isgrove said: "There will be about 20 of us and we are basing our approach on Leeds (which received the first refugees) and have been learning from their experience."

Two to three practices in North Bradford will care for the refugees including Windhill Green Medical Centre. One of its doctors, John Bibby, said: "Immediate problems they seem to suffer are sunburn, ear infections and dental abscesses. Apparently they have not had dental care for many years though we don't know why there should be so many ear infections.

"They may have significant psychological trauma or war wounds. We have no medical histories and we are only getting interpreters for a short time. If you have no communication, you have got major problems."

The Refugee Council is providing interpreters for the first five to ten days but after that Board chairman Dr Peter Rennie said it would be a matter of tapping into local support groups.

He said: "We don't know what their state is. Some may be wounded, others may be suffering from psychological scarring. Until we have seen them we don't know what we will need to provide."

After an initial health check at the airport, the 300 refugees will be taken to Wharfedale General Hospital, Otley, for immigration purposes and further assessments.

They will then be taken to a former home for the elderly in Shipley and a similar establishment in Bradford.

After a few months, longer term accommodation will be provided.

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