The NSW Refugee Health Service (RHS) works with GPs to help address the health needs of newly arrived humanitarian entrants.
The RHS has provided the following resources to assist GPs in providing care to refugees.
Australia’s humanitarian program
The humanitarian program has recommenced with a large number of refugees currently being resettled to NSW, predominately in South Western and Western Sydney. We expect this to continue over the next 12 months. Those currently arriving are in the main from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq.
Refugees arrive as permanent residents, with the support of Settlement Services International (SSI) (for those who settle in Sydney) and have access to Medicare, Centrelink and English classes. People newly arrived are encouraged to have an initial health assessment.
A proportion of new arrivals will be seen by the RHS nurse team for a health assessment (NOT an MBS item), and then transferred to a local GP for on-going care. Others arriving with family support for example, may attend a medical practice directly.
Refugees will have completed a mandatory visa check prior to arrival, with an electronic health summary available through RHS.
To assist GPs in seeing refugees:
- RHS has developed a Health care for newly arrived refugees
- Refugee HealthPathways are available
- The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide is a comprehensive online practice guide to support medical practices. It takes a whole of practice approach and includes key aspects of care such as undertaking a comprehensive refugee health assessment.
For any advice or support you may need:
Call RHS: 9794 0770 or email SWSLHD-Refugeehealth@health.nsw.gov.au
Further Information:
NSW Refugee Health Service Homepage
NSW Refugee Health Service – GP Portal
NSW Refugee Health Service factsheets
Ukrainian arrival update
There are significant numbers of people arriving from the Ukraine settling in metropolitan Sydney. Visa pathways to Australia have varied; most are initially on tourist visas and do not have access to Medicare. A three-year protection visa (786) with Medicare is available, but applications may take some time.
Because of the urgency of Ukrainians leaving for Australia, most will not have had a visa medical check; this will be completed here (via BUPA) if applying for a temporary protection visa.
Newly arrived Ukrainians coming to your practice would benefit from a comprehensive health assessment. Free interpreters are available through TIS National, 24/7. Book online at www.tisnational.gov.au or for instant interpreting call the TIS Doctors priority line: 1300 131 450.
Ukrainians without Medicare
A degree of primary healthcare is also available through RHS (Medicare is not required). There are a number of GP clinics for asylum seekers without Medicare. See: GP/Asylum Seeker Clinic
NSW Health will also provide access to public hospital services free of charge for people from Ukraine who arrived in Australia on or after 1 December 2021. This is a temporary arrangement under the NSW Health policy for asylum seekers without Medicare.
Health background of Ukrainians:
RCH Melbourne – Ukrainian refugees – key issues
Systematic review of health and disease in Ukrainian children highlights poor child health and challenges for those treating refugees
The health needs of refugees from Ukraine
Further supports:
SSI – provides a range of support services
Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) – provides culturally relevant psychological treatment and support
For any advice or support you may need:
Call RHS: 9794 0770 or email SWSLHD-Refugeehealth@health.nsw.gov.au