One of the greatest challenges facing migrants in Australia is access to healthcare. Australia has worked hard at integrating various nationalities into our diverse communities, helping to ease the transition from a previous culture into ours by way of access to services, housing, education and job opportunities. But, providing healthcare within a multicultural setting is a complex matter. Health issues are at the core of human experience, and many migrants from foreign cultures with poor English have immense difficulty accessing Australian health services.
Communication barriers
If you’ve arrived in Australia with poor English skills, you might fear visiting a doctor, also known as General Practitioner (GP), or the hospital emergency department because of your language difficulties. However, interpreters are available in every hospital in Australia and you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for one if you feel it would help. They generally need to be booked a day in advance, but in areas with a high population of a certain ethnicity, there is often an on-site interpreter for the required language. If an interpreter cannot come to the hospital, phone interpreters are available in emergency situations. Interpreters are well trained in both the technical jargon of the medical profession and the culture they are representing.
When it comes to choosing a GP, foreign embassies and consulates can be a great source of help. They often have a list of health care providers who speak that language—so don’t hesitate to contact your embassy to seek more information.
To help bridge this gap, Liverpool Doctors Medical Centre is both an Arabic and English speaking practice, committed to working hard every day to provide access to information and health care for the diverse spectrum of peoples and languages that make up Australia.
Migrant mental health
Migrants and refugees may experience some challenges in adjusting to their new environment. Difficulties can include language barrier, loss of family and community support, lack of recognition of professional qualifications and trauma, experienced before or after migration.
If you are concerned about your mental health and wellbeing, the first place to go to a GP. In Australia, some GPs have special training in mental health care. You can call BeyondBlue, a mental health care hotline, for free on 1300 22 4636 and ask for a doctor in your local area.
Here at Liverpool Medical Doctors Centre, our doctors are experienced in the treatment of depression, stress management, addiction, anxiety, grief and other mental health issues, and provide mental health care for children, adolescents and adults. Discussions about mental health concerns should never feel rushed so please book a longer appointment to enable your doctor to spend additional time with you.
Our doctors can also assist you to develop your own mental health treatment plan to give you access to Medicare funded psychology services. Our on-site psychiatrist is also available to discuss any mental health issues.
Cost of health services
The cost of medical care can be a cause of concern for you, and you may feel deterred by going to the doctor due to the cost. Public health care is available in Australia, with Medicare being Australia’s public health insurance scheme. Three groups of migrants have access to Medicare and therefore free healthcare:
- permanent residents.
- those awaiting the processing of their permanent residency claims.
- citizens of countries with mutual care agreements with Australia. Finland, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, Malta, Ireland and New Zealand have agreements entitling its citizens access to Medicare. Citizens of Italy and Malta have access for a maximum of six months.
Migrants with student visas or tourists from countries other than those with mutual care agreements are required to pay the costs of any treatment. However, no one in genuine need will ever be denied treatment by the Australian health system.
To get a Medicare card, ring 132 011 and ask for your nearest Medicare office. You'll then be directed to go the Medicare office and collect your Welcome Kit. The Welcome Kit is in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, English, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Liverpool Medical Doctors Centre is a bulk billing practice, so you will never be out of pocket after a visit to our practice.
If you'd like to book an appointment, call the practice on XXXXXX or select your appointment through our online booking system.