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Aboriginal Health
The Association continues to work with the Dandenong Aboriginal Health Service, particularly through support for the Spiritual & Emotional Wellbeing Program with funding through the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative. Other activities include Practice Support (Accreditation), screening for diabetic retinopathy and participation in DHS-funded activities related to health promotion and chronic conditions.
General Practice Divisions Victoria (GPDV) and VACCHO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of creating better relationships and increased cultural awareness between Aboriginal communities and the Victorian divisions of general practice. A copy of the MoU can be found here on GPDV's web site.
Templates for Aboriginal Health Check item numbers (child, adult and older persons) can be found in the Resources section of this site (Care Plan and Health Assessment Tools)
Refugee Health
The South East area is one of the principal destinations for refugee settlement in Victoria, with up to 1000 new arrivals each year. This population group present with a wide range of unique health issues, as well as other social issues.
The Association has been involved in a range of initiatives focusing on refugee health including: direct support to General Practices, assisting General Practitioners to provide comprehensive Refugee Health Assessments for new arrival refugees, working in partnering with the Adult Migrant Education Service (AMES Settlement) in refugee resettlement health issues, working with the Southern Health Network to build refugee-specific services, and coordinating regional refugee health activities with stakeholders.
The Association has also been supporting GP services to Asylum Seekers, assisting those who are ineligible for Medicare benefits to gain basic health services which would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Other useful services:
Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
6 Gardiner Street, Brunswick, 3056,Victoria
Telephone: 9388 0022 Email: info@foundationhouse.org.au
Web address: www.foundationhouse.org.au
Foundation House at Dandenong
Level 5, 280 Thomas Street, Dandenong 3175
Telephone: 8791 2450
Foundation House resources for GPs:
A Handbook for Doctors and Other Health Care Providers Caring for People from Refugee Backgrounds (2002)
Caring for Refugee Patients in General Practice (2002) - A Desk-top Guide (2nd Edition)
South East Migrant Resource Centre 9706 8933
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) Doctors Priority Line
Private doctors can call the dedicated free line 1300 131 450 and are given priority by the TIS operators, a telephone interpreter will be arranged immediately or alternatively will be booked for a later appointment if requested by the doctor. Free interpreter services are provided to GPs/Specialists in Private Practice who are providing a Medicare-related service. On-site Interpreter bookings must be made two weeks in advance.
Tel 1300 655 082
Fax bookings 1300 654 151
Click here for resources and links to services
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