Refugee Health Program

People of refugee background are among the most vulnerable groups within society and many have complex health needs due to their background and experiences.

They can face multiple barriers in accessing health services, including language and cultural barriers, lack of familiarity with the Australian healthcare system, limited trust of health service providers, limited socio-economic resources and competing settlement priorities, such as housing, education and employment.

Culturally Responsive Health Care

Access to culturally responsive health care is critically important in supporting people of refugee background to resettle in Australia. Newly arrived refugees are often highly traumatised and will face a number of challenges as they begin a new life, but they are also a highly resilient group.  Providing access to health care and support in the early stages of settlement will ensure better health outcomes.

Promoting Refugee Wellbeing

The SESLHD Refugee Health Program seeks to promote refugee wellbeing by:

• Providing school-based early health assessments with referral and linkage to primary care, mainstream and specialist health services
• Building the capacity of refugee communities to understand and engage in the Australian health care system through the provision of information and translated resources
• Increasing the capacity of the South East Sydney Local Health District workforce to understand the specific needs of refugee communities through the development and delivery of refugee-specific training and resources
• Supporting projects that address access and equity issues in health for people of refugee background
• Supporting research and evaluation of refugee health issues and programs