Caring for the Unseen: Using Linking Social Capital to Improve Healthcare Access to Irregular Migrants in Spain

PURPOSE To describe a novel strategy using linking social capital to provide healthcare access to irregular migrants with low literacy, low numeracy, and limited cultural assimilation in a European metropolitan area. ORGANIZING CONSTRUCT Public data show numerous shortcomings in meeting the healthcare needs of refugees and irregular migrants surging into Europe. Many irregular migrants living in European communities are unable to access information, care, or services due to lack of social capital. An overview of the problem and traditional charity strategies, including their barriers, are briefly described. A novel strategy using linking social capital to improve healthcare access of irregular migrants is explored and described. Information regarding the impact of this approach on the target population is provided. The discussion of nursing's role in employing linking social capital to care for the vulnerable is presented. CONCLUSIONS Immigration and refugee data show that issues related to migration will continue. The novel strategy presented can be implemented by nurses with limited financial and physical resources in small community settings frequented by irregular migrants to improve health care. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The health and well-being of irregular migrants has an impact on community health. Nurses must be aware of and consider implementing novel strategies to ensure that all community members' healthcare needs, which are a basic human right, are addressed.