1.   Use accredited interpreters (onsite or telephone) for non-English speaking clients rather than family/friends/staff

Use of interpreters has been shown to improve both delivery of care and patient experience whilst also reducing medico-legal risk. General practice can register with FREE service TIS to get a client code. Contact the Telephone Interpreting Service (TIS and ATIS) on 1300 131 450 or access 24/7
TIS National Doctors Priority Line.

2.   Be aware of entitlement difference between an asylum seeker and refugee

Status identification and understanding the difference between a refugee and asylum seeker is important. Refugees will have the access to Medicare, Centrelink and settlement support. Asylum seekers often present with complex vulnerabilities associated with visa status which may impact work rights and access to financial support, case management and Medicare.

3.   Use Refugee Health Assessment (RHA) for screening new patients

Utilise longer or multiple appointments to complete RHA. RHA is a useful template for all new refugee patients and the dedicated RHA MBS billing item can be used if the patient is ≤1year post arrival/visa lodgement. 

• Refugee Health Assessment Template: Note – this can be incorporated into practice software (Best Practice and Medical Director)
• See information on MBS billing

4.   Complete on-arrival pathology screening

The RHA recommends screening for a number of infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. 

• Australasian Society for Infectious Disease, Refugee Guidelines 2016
• Royal Children's Hospital clinical resources on migrant health

5.   Consider referring all new clients to public dental/optometry/ audiology services

These are all high-prevalence on-arrival health concerns.

6.   Consider mental health referrals

• Foundation House is a dedicated torture and trauma service in Dandenong. Referrals can be made via their website
• For access to psychological services with an interpreter, refer to the local Primary Health Network

7.   Utilise health literacy resources

Resources to develop culturally competent practice include ceh.org.au and for scripts easidose.com. Remember to explain what a prescription 'repeat' is.

8.   Provide catch-up immunisations as indicated

Check for pre-existing immunisation records and use national immunisation schedule and catch-up schedule.

9.   Use dedicated refugee health resources

For updates on services, policies, and refugee specific issues, consider joining the Victorian Refugee Health Network (VRHN) or visit refugeehealthnetwork.org.au

10.   Monash Health Refugee Health and Wellbeing and Refugee Health

Monash Health Refugee Health and Wellbeing is a dedicated refugee health service funded by the Department of Health.

Further information on how and when to refer:

• Visit Monash Health's Refugee Health and Wellbeing
• Contact the Refugee Health Nurse Triage at refugeehealthnurseontriage@monashhealth.org or phone 9792 8100 
• For clinical advice please email Monash Health Refugee Fellow Dr Larissa Wale larissa.wale@monashhealth.org