Understanding local health care services can be lifesaving for migrants and refugees who live in our communities.
“Being able to navigate a complex health system, seek help in medical emergencies, and access interpreters for medical consultations and treatments, are essential,” said Rita Youssef-Price, Multicultural Strategies Officer.
Health service orientation for migrant and refugee families in Lismore
In Lismore, 1 in 20 people speak a language other than English at home – over 2,200 people.
One local initiative helping ensure people have access to the healthcare information and medical care they need, is a hospital tour explaining the services and introducing people to our staff and systems.
We do this in partnership with TAFE NSW English language classes, which support recently arrived migrant communities.
Lismore Base Hospital Clinical Nurse Educator, Nicola Scanlon, ran the tour, and said the benefits are obvious.
“People learn how to access essential healthcare and become familiar with their local hospital. They are also more likely to seek preventative care when they have this information and feel culturally safe to engage with our services.”
Supporting multicultural women in our communities
Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Sinhala, Persian, Portuguese and Kurdish are some of the languages spoken by more than 20 women who attended the Women’s Health Information sessions held recently.
Women’s Health Nurse for Tweed/Byron, Jane Newman, ran the sessions during multicultural health week for women attending the Kingscliff TAFE English classes.
“Using ‘plain English’ and offering interpreters for appointments, these health sessions significantly enhance the health and wellbeing of migrant women, fostering a healthier, more informed, and connected community,” said Rita Youssef-Price, Multicultural Strategies Officer.
Support CALD health
To support culturally and linguistically diverse communities to improve their access to our health programs, or to arrange a health care tour and information session at a site, contact Rita.
She can help coordinate these activities and provide other multicultural health resources and training for staff.
Images
Top: Lismore Base Hospital tour
Below: Kingcliff TAFE English students