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The Mater Integrated Refugee Health Service (MIRHS) works closely with General Practitioners, practice nurses and other primary care health professionals to provide refugee health focused nursing assessments and assist with the medical assessments, to people from refugee backgrounds who have recently arrived in Australia (within 12 months).
The service is delivered in general practices where the majority have working together agreements with Mater. These include but are not limited to:
Brisbane South
Brisbane North
A health assessment in collaboration with a General Practitioner includes: catch up immunisation, mental health assessment, psycho-social history, pathology and coordination of referrals and complex care provision.
MIRHS nurses work in close collaboration with GPs, practice nurses, practice support staff, Primary Health Networks, refugee community groups, settlement support services and mental health services to deliver flexible and responsive health care.
It is recognised that people from refugee backgrounds experience cultural and language barriers and have poorer health status on arrival than Australian born residents. It is well documented that a comprehensive health assessment can promote their health and assist their successful settlement in Australia. Primary care is best placed to deliver care however additional support is needed. MIRHS has a strong capacity building focus and works with primary care teams to ensure practices are able to respond to all patients from diverse cultural backgrounds to deliver accessible, coordinated and quality care.
The service is available for people from refugee backgrounds who have recently arrived in Australia within the past 12 months. Eligibility covers people from a refugee background who are permanent residents. All new arrivals are referred to MIRHS through a partnership between Mater Health Services, Brisbane South PHN and MDA Ltd. For asylum seekers please refer to Mater Refugee Complex Care Clinic (MRCCC).
For more information about Mater Refugee Health Services phone 3163 2891.
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