- The Miles Government has launched its new $17 million Multicultural Health Policy and Action Plan.
- The plan will address the challenges faced by Queenslanders from diverse backgrounds in accessing healthcare across the state.
- Funding will recruit refugee health nurses and multicultural health liaison officers as well as deliver free healthcare for asylum seekers and refugees.
Queensland is a multicultural and diverse state, with more than 40 per cent of the state's population either born overseas or have a parent born overseas.
People from migrant and refugee backgrounds can face additional barriers to accessing healthcare such as language and cultural understanding, low health literacy and difficulties in navigating the health system.
That's why the Miles Government has launched its $17 million Multicultural Health Policy and Action Plan (MHPAP) which addresses the unique healthcare challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Developed in consultation with multicultural communities and stakeholders, the MHPAP directly responds to the needs and concerns of these communities as they navigate the healthcare system and strive for equitable health outcomes.
The six key focus areas include prevention and early intervention, and sustainable, accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally safe services.
Initiatives in the plan include:
- $4.38 million over four years to recruit eight new Multicultural Health Liaison Officers who will assist people in navigating the health system.
- $1.16 million over four years to develop an interpreter booking system that will help frontline staff more effectively engage and monitor language services.
- $3.03 million over four years to recruit five refugee health nurses to better address the health needs of new humanitarian arrivals.
- $3 million over four years to support the Mater Refugee Complex Care Clinic in continuing to provide healthcare to asylum seekers and refugees with complex needs.
- $5.56 million over four years under the Better Care Together program for dedicated mental health positions serving priority CALD communities.
The MHPAP will enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients, improve access to quality care, strengthen community partnerships, develop a diverse and culturally competent workforce, and gain a better understanding of the specific health needs through data and research.
As stated by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
"We are lucky to have so many diverse communities in our state and we are absolutely committed to ensuing everyone has access to high quality healthcare.
"Our new action plan sets out initiatives that will help to bridge the gap in health inequity.
"I'm so proud that our government is providing funding to the Mater for its Refugee Complex Care Clinic which bridges the healthcare gap for refugees and asylum seekers who have no access to Medicare.
"We are also investing in our multicultural workforce with new refugee health nurses and health liaison officers to assist people to navigate the health system.
"By addressing the unique challenges faced by our multicultural communities, we can improve health outcomes for all Queenslanders."
