Northern Health recently hosted a community information session to help refugee and asylum seeker communities better understand and navigate Australia’s healthcare system.
The session was held at Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre in Dallas and attended by 15 community members, primarily from Syria and Iraq, with one participant from Yemen. It was delivered entirely in Arabic by Northern Health bilingual clinicians and staff, including two Arabic-speaking doctors. This created a culturally safe and welcoming environment where participants felt comfortable asking questions, sharing experiences and discussing common challenges they face when accessing healthcare.
A particularly powerful moment occurred when one participant recognised one of the doctors and shared a positive experience from when his son had attended the Emergency Department (ED). He recalled how the doctor’s reassurance and compassionate care had eased his concerns during a stressful time and made a lasting difference to his family. The exchange served as a meaningful reminder of the impact that culturally responsive care, trust and effective communication can have on patient experiences and outcomes.
Throughout the session, participants gained practical knowledge about a range of healthcare services, including Medicare, general practitioners (GPs), ambulance services, Urgent Care Clinics, ED and the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED). Through real-life scenarios and interactive discussion, clinicians explained when and how to access different services and provided valuable insight into how ED triage processes work.
Refugee and asylum seeker communities often face barriers to healthcare access, including language differences, limited health literacy and unfamiliarity with Australia’s healthcare system. These challenges can contribute to delayed care, reduced confidence in health services and increased reliance on Emergency Departments for non-emergency health concerns.
By providing clear, practical and culturally appropriate information, the session helped participants better understand the healthcare pathways available to them, increased awareness of alternatives to ED presentations, and built confidence in seeking the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
Importantly, the initiative also strengthened connections between community members and healthcare providers, reinforcing Northern Health’s commitment to partnering with our communities to keep people well and deliver the best possible care close to home. Daniel Crompton, Director of Emergency Services, attended the session and, with the support of an Arabic interpreter, invited participants to share their experiences, discuss the challenges they encounter when accessing healthcare, and identify opportunities to improve the services Northern Health provides.
The session reflects the ongoing work of Northern Health’s Refugee and Asylum Seekers Subcommittee and Translation and Language Services (TALS) in promoting health literacy, inclusion and equitable access to healthcare for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Through initiatives like this, Northern Health continues to foster a stronger sense of community, belonging and inclusivity, empowering people with the knowledge and confidence to navigate their healthcare journey and access the care they need.
Pictured in featured image: Dr Harith Alrawi VVED PEM Physician at the community information session.