South EAstern sydney LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT REFUGEE ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Health status of refugeesRecent arrivalsRefugees are recognised as one of the most vulnerable groups within society with specific healthneeds related to their backgrounds and experiences. Common health issues include:• infectious diseases (such as malaria, parasitic infections, tuberculosis, Hepatitis C andsexually transmitted diseases)• vaccine preventable diseases (such as Hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella)• chronic health conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and peptic ulcerdisease)• growth and nutritional problems, particularly in children (such as Vitamin D deficiency andiron deficiency)• incomplete immunisation• poor oral health• mental health conditions (such as post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety)The NSW Refugee Health Plan 2011-2016 identified that (1) social connectedness, (2) nutritionand food security and (3) health literacy and preventative health care are priority issues in meetingthe needs of newly arrived refugees.Older refugeesCommon health conditions for older refugees arriving post World War II are:• age related memory loss (this may be associated with loss of English language skills andtriggering of suppressed memories associated with the refugee experience)• mental health conditions (including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety)• increased mortality• increased heart disease• lowered immune system function• stress-related psychosomatic illnesses 15The Caring for Older Refugees discussion paper identified that key issues for older refugeesincluded:• ongoing settlement needs• financial security• cultural needs and loss of status• social isolation• carer support. 11Asylum seekersThe health status of asylum seekers is generally similar to that of refugees arriving in Australiaunder the Humanitarian program. Their poor physical and mental health may be furtherexacerbated by the stress and anxiety associated with:• poor access to health care• an uncertain future and fear of a negative assessment of their refugee application• lack of resources and work rights. 1615 NSW Refugee Health Service (RHS), 2007, Caring for Older Refugees in NSW: A discussion paper, Sydney: NSW Refugee HealthService. Available at http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/sswahs/refugee/pdf/OlderRefugees.pdf16 Cited in NSW Department of Health (NSW Health), 2011, NSW Refugee Health Plan 2011-2016, Sydney: NSW Department ofHealth. Available at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/pd/2011/PD2011_014.html11
Current Service ContextHealth ServiceThe former South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health Service (SESIH) demonstrated a significantinterest in and commitment to the health of refugees. Key achievements included:• Research project: Sydney Children’s Hospital (SCH) Refugee Child Health project (2006-2007)o The aim of this project was to conduct a needs assessment of refugee children inSESIH and develop strategies to address these needso Funding was provided by SESIH Multicultural Health Service (MHS) and the SCHFoundation• Research project: Building sustainable and collaborative health service networks forrefugee children and young people (2007-2008)o The aim of this project was to investigate issues for GPs and other health careproviders with the aim of developing a sustainable and collaborative health servicesystem for newly arrived refugee children and their familieso Funded through UNSW Faculty of Medicine Grant ($30,000) and Greater Easternand Southern Child Health network (GESCHN) Project funding ($137,800)• Establishment of the GP Hospital Collaborative Care Model (2007)o The model of care was established as a partnership between Sydney Children’sHospital (SCH) The Wollongong Hospital (TWH), the SESIH Multicultural HealthService (MHS) and the Illawarra Division of General Practice (IDGP).o The model placed a network of refugee-friendly General Practitioners (GPs) inprivate practice at the centre of care for newly arrived refugee children and theirfamilies. Settlement services link families directly with identified GPs who provideboth routine comprehensive health assessment on arrival and ongoing care. GPsare supported by specialists at SCH and TWH as well as the Refugee Health Nurse.o The Illawarra area was chosen as the site for initial implementation of the model asthis region had the highest number of new arrivals to SESIH, most of whom wereunattached families without existing family and/or community supports (in line withDIAC’s regional settlement program).o In its first eighteen months of operation, the model achieved screening rates of100% for children and 98% for adults on UNHCR supported refugee visas settling inthe Illawarra.o The model was never fully implemented in the St George/Sutherland and EasternSuburbs areas, with ad hoc relationships with GPs developed around individualclient needs.• Establishment of the SCH Refugee Child Health Clinic (2007)o This specialised refugee health clinic was established in response to the needsidentified through the Refugee Child Health project and as part of the broader GPHospital Collaborative Care Model• Development of GP guidelines “Health Screening of Newly Arrived Refugees - Advice ForGPs in South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service” (2007)o These guidelines were developed in 2007 and later revised in 2010, in line with theRACP and ASID guidelineso The guidelines contain advice to GPs regarding health screening for newly arrivedrefugees, treatment and management options, local referral pathways and access tospecialist support and advice.12
Page 1: IMPLEMENTATIONPLAN FOR THE NSWREFUG
Page 4 and 5: Executive SummaryThe South Eastern
Page 6 and 7: 6. To recognise the right to high q
Page 8 and 9: In 2011-12, the NSW government allo
Page 10 and 11: Recent ArrivalsThere are approximat
Page 14 and 15: • Establishment of 1 FTE Refugee
Page 16 and 17: y a part-time nurse/health casework
Page 18 and 19: Table 2: Key actions in the SESLHD
Page 20 and 21: Strategic Priority Key Actions Resp
Page 30 and 31: Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms 17Asy
Page 32 and 33: Appendix 4: SESLHD Refugee Health C
Page 34 and 35: KOGARAHAge on Arrival00-0506-1112-1
Page 36 and 37: ROCKDALEAge on Arrival00-0506-1112-

South EAstern sydney LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT REFUGEE ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?