In this Final Edition for 2018...
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 As we come to the end of 2018, the Network team would like to take the opportunity to thank all the members for their time, contribution and dedication to the network.
Here are some highlights that we achieved together in 2018:
- 2nd Annual Refugee Health and Wellbeing Showcase was held in March. Attended by 120 people, it was a celebration and showcase of partnerships and inspirational work. More info
- We continued to build the Qld network and connect with other networks, including facilitating the 2nd Qld refugee health nurses face to face meeting (with support from Qld Dept. of Health) as well as ongoing active participation in Refugee Health Network Australia (RHeaNA) and Refugee Nurses Australia (RNA).
- Research commenced with QUT to gather baseline data to evaluate the implementation of the policy and action plan and to gather patient experience of people from a refugee background utilising peer researchers.
- The Network published its first annual progress report (Summary and Full Report available now).
- The Network worked alongside refugee health services to advocate for access to health information in a timely manner. This resulted in health professionals being given access to HAPlite.
- 3 Clinical education sessions delivered in person, via webinar and recorded for the website (watch them here):
- Refugee health and the NDIS (March)
- Refugee health and Chronic Diseases (Aug)
- Refugee Health Infectious Diseases Update (Oct)
- The work of Queensland refugee health services has been showcased in various forums locally and internationally (View presentations here)
- RH-PAGQ Chair, Network Coordinator and Refugee Community Advisor met with the new Minister for Health and Ambulance services.
- Network members and refugee community advisors participated in various multicultural days and events throughout the state.
- The interpreter working group was established and members continued to be dedicated to the work in the Mental Health, Oral Health, Research and Evaluation Working Groups, and Neuro Developmental Intervention and Cognitive Assessment-Subgroup as well as the Clinical Advisory Group and Group of 11 (Refugee Community Advisory Group)
The team would like to acknowledge all the hard work and dedication of the Chairs and Secretariats of all the Advisory Groups, Regional Networks and Working Groups, as these groups are what makes the network successful.
 Best wishes for Christmas, looking forward to working with you in 2019. Our office will be closed between the 24th December and the 2nd January. I will be on leave from the 19th December until the 29th January, while I’m away the Ally (Ally.Wakefield@mater.org.au) and Donata (Donata.Sackey@mater.org.au) will be here to support as needed.
Warm regards, Vicky Jacobson
NOTE: The minutes from the PAGQ Meeting held in October, 2018 have been slightly amended from the original version. To see the updated summary please click here.
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This summary highlights humanitarian arrivals in Queensland, and the progress in the activities outlined in the Refugee Health and Wellbeing policy and action plan for Queensland 2017 to 2020 for the time period April 2017 to March 2018. Read the Snapshot of the Annual Progress Report 2018
A full report has been prepared by the Refugee Health Network Queensland team with input from the partner organisations who are leading the activities outlined in the plan and can be accessed HERE.
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Review into employment, settlement and integration
The Australian government has announced an independent review into the employment, settlement and integration outcomes of people from refugee backgrounds. The review will consult broadly with stakeholders across the country and across sectors and will deliver a report to the Government in February 2019. Read the media statement here.
Read the statement from the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) here.
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Christmas Closures and useful Contacts
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Multilingual Disability Hub
A national multilingual hotline and website provides information in-language on disability and the NDIS.
The Hotline is operated by trained bilingual Hotline Specialists who can answer questions in-language about disability, the NDIS and direct callers to service providers who can support people from CALD backgrounds.
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Rohingya refugees and mental health
CULTURE, CONTEXT AND MENTAL HEALTH OF ROHINGYA REFUGEES; A review for staff in mental health and psychosocial support programmes for Rohingya refugees (UNHCR, 2018) - Includes some information about the Rohingya community, relevant to those settling in Queensland.
Read about more communities from refugee backgrounds on our webpage 'Refugee Populations'
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HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is the regular use of HIV medication by HIV negative people at higher risk of HIV to prevent HIV infection. Clinical trials show that PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV transmission. Australian Federation of of AIDS Organsiations (AFAO) has information about HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
AFAO and ASHM have a PrEP Fact Sheet about 'WHAT DOES PrEP ACCESS THROUGH THE PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS SCHEME (PBS) MEAN?'
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Helpful words when accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Ethnic Community Services Cooperative has developed a document that explains helpful words and terminology when accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Available in 17 languages. Access it here.
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Join the virtual on-line ‘Supporting Refugee Kids’ series for weekly support and guidance from medical, allied health and education professionals.
- Relevant for healthcare providers, education professionals, and refugee support workers
- "Zoom" in from your office, practice, or home, using any other device with an internet connection & webcam.
- Interactive case presentation every week.
- GPs are eligible to earn CPD points (RACGP & ACRRM) & claim Medicare rebates. Conditions apply.
04 February until 18 March 2019 (7 weeks)
Time: Mondays from 3:15 – 4:30 pm
FREE
More information and apply here.
Hosted by Children’s Health Queensland. See the Infographic about 'Refugee Kids' here.
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Statewide Community Partnerships and Integration Leader - Queensland Health. Read about the job
Queensland Police Service - Multicultural Liaison Officer - Logan District Cross Cultural Unit - Download information here.
Department of Human Services need NAATI accredited/recognised and/or Experienced interpreters - join register of contract interpreters. More information here.
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Cultural responsiveness in a paediatric hospital setting People, processes, and practice environment. By Claire Xiaochi Zhang and Emma Crawford - Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, Volume 20, Number 3 2018 Read the full article here.
Intimate partner violence in Australian refugee communities - Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) - Intimate partner violence in Australian refugee communities: Scoping review of issues and responses Alissar El-Murr (Dec, 2018) Watch the video here
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ACCESS Community Services - Free School Holiday Program
See the list of 'Useful contacts over Christmas' which includes a list of 'Free Christmas activities'
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Watch Nurse, Helen Zahos talk about 'Creating Change Through Volunteering: Lessons from a Humanitarian Nurse' - a TEDx talk here
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Health journeys through a cultural lens - Podcast available
Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health manages Health Translations and they have recently developed a five-part podcast series which explores the way language, culture and health interact. |
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Winner announced
Read about the impressive line-up of finalists for the 2018 ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ trophy. And the winner was announced as Nyadol Nyuon. Read about them here.
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