| Project Objectives / Summary:
This project sought to address the health inequality and limited access to general practice care for specific group of refugees Afganistan and Iran, who were settling in the Hornsby, Ryde local government areas and who were identified as being socially disadvantaged and possibly as victims of trauma and torture.
The aims of the project were:
- to improve access to general practice by more clearly identifying the health needs of recent settlers in the catchment area, using the Persian speaking settlers as a study group.
- To develop approaches which would up-skill GPs to provide a holistic health care for patients from such backgrounds.
Project Collaboration:
The Division worked with the Northern Sydney Health Multicultural Unit, the NSW Migrant Network Services and the Eastwood Community Settlement officer STARTTS.
Project Outcomes:
The project was perceived to be very successful in raising awareness of refugee health issues in the Division and building new partnerships with diverse organisations.
The first aim, which was to improve access to general practice for recent settlers in the catchment area, was addressed through a program of general awareness raising among GPs and refugees in Ryde and Hornsby Local Government Areas. Centrelink gives refugees information on Medicare and the translated GP brochure on their arrival. Leaders in the communities are also aware of the importance of a regular GP and know that all GPs have resources developed by the Division such as the Flip Chart and the Guidelines available to them. However, they continue to often steer new arrivals to Persian language speaking GPs.
The second aim which was to develop approaches which would up-skill GPs to provide holistic health care for patients from refugee backgrounds was also achieved. GPs were made aware of the health needs of the refugee population and the other providers who can assist in their management. GPs were taught how to use the Flip Chart and other aids to managing refugee health. They have also been detailed by the EPC project officer in regard to using the care planning and case conferencing items to assist in holistic care of these patients. While GPs have been encouraged to be the case manager and coordinate other services for these patients, they often report they are 'too busy' to complete the paperwork required to make the appropriate claims on Medicare.
The project focused on new partnerships and roles for general practitioners including opportunities to work with non-medical/non traditional service providers. It has both extended existing relationships with migrant health service providers and groups and added new ones. This is one of the greatest legacies for the Division from this project. The Division is now recognised as a partner who can assist in health care provision by the Afghan and Iranian Community organisations as well as cementing good relationships with community care providers like Eastwood Christian Community Aid. Persian speaking GPs are in demand to address community groups and provide health information for recent arrivals.
Recommendations:
- That the Division put aside some money from the Outcomes Based Funding to spend on Refugee Health issues
- That the Division maintain contact with community agencies and service providers who work with recently arrived refugees from Iran and Afghanistan That the Division run a CME session for GPs in 2002 focussing on the use of interpreters and how to maximise communication with non-English speaking patients
- That the Division be an active partner with NSH Women's Health Unit and Multicultural Health Service in the planned Persian women's health workshop in 2002
- That the Division continue to disperse resources collected in this project -such as the Referral Flipchart and Western Melbourne Division's Caring for Refugees in general practice.
Disseminating Project Information:
- Brochure - Getting the best from your visit to your GP- translated into Persian and distributed widely in the community.
- Distribution of Flipchart Refugee Health: Information for GPs, containing local contact numbers, which was developed in conjunction with NSW Refugee Health Services
Lessons / Assessment
The project is perceived as being very successful in raising awareness of refugee health issues in Divisions and building new partnerships with diverse organisations
As stated under Project Outcomes, the aims of the project were met.
Emphasis was given to making the resources produced as friendly as possible for GPs and consumers.
Like the IFP Round One project conducted by the Western Melbourne Division, this project demonstrates what is needed in practical terms to influence access by NESB people to general practice.
It is a good example of the role of a Division can take in coordinating and facilitating action on a community issue. |
