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Refugee & Migrant Health
Important information for GPs and PNs when it comes to meeting the health needs of Refugees and Migrants in our community.Here you will find a Screening Protocol for the Investigation and Treatment of Newly Arrived Refugees, MD templates, links to various health conditions and websites, information regarding MBS items numbers, regular news updates, plus much more. Viral Hep Websites | Screening Protocol & Medical Director Templates | Refugee Health Contact List | STTARS Links to Conditions/Templates | Refugee Health News | Contact Community Hepatitis C Nursing PositionsOver 17,000 hepatitis C infections have been recorded in South Australia. Less than 2% of individuals affected by hepatitis C access treatment each year. The South Australian Hepatitis C Action Plan 2009-2012 includes a commitment to improve hepatitis C treatment access and uptake through enhanced nursing capacity and support for General Practitioners through a shared care approach to hepatitis C treatment. SA Health has funded specialist Hepatitis C Clinical Practice Consultant nursing positions to support access to hepatitis C treatment in South Australia. These nurses work in collaboration with hospitals and General Practice across the southern, central and northern areas to deliver hepatitis C treatment, and actively support access to treatment in the primary care setting. The hepatitis C nurses have driven the development of the Model of Care which provides the overarching framework to guide the implementation of the hepatitis C treatment shared care program. For further information regarding this initiative please contact the HIV/HCV Policy and Programs Section on telephone (08) 7425 7162. (8/11) Useful Websites for GPs who have Patients with Viral HepatitisHepBHelp> www.hepbhelp.org.au Hepatitis C Council of SA> www.hepccouncilsa.asn.au ASHM> www.ashm.org.au/default2.asp?active_page_id=169 Screening Protocol & Medical Director Templates
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Refugee Health Service CONTACT LIST for GPs at Aug 2010 > Print out this one page flyer for quick and easy reference (pdf 205kb) |
This Contact Information list for GPs has been put together by SARHN (South Australian Refugee Health Network). For more information, please contact: Teresa Burgess at teresa.burgess@adelaide.edu.au
South Australian Refugee Health Network
Visit the SAHRN website for more Refugee Health information: www.sarhn.org.au
Including powerpoint presentations from education sessions.
STTARS
STTARS is an independent not for profit service with no political or religious affiliations. They provide support to survivors of torture and refugee trauma. Services include:
- individual and family assessments and referrals
- individual and family psycho-social counselling and support
- on-site GP consultations, psychologist and psychiatrists
- remedial massage and other natural therapies
- recreational and skills development groups
- community education
- support and consultancy to other agencies and professionals
STTARS services are FREE and they provide interpreters. To make a referral or an appointment call STTARS on 8346 5433 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. http://www.sttars.org.au/
Refugee Health Condition Articles
PDF articles that deal with some of the important conditions dealt with in the Refugee Health.
Refugee Health News
Malaria
40% of the world's population is at risk and almost 3 million people die of malaria each year although mainly in Africa. Malaria article - AWGPN News June/July 08
Asymptomatic Schistosomiasis
For most GPs schistosomiasis (bilharzia) was an interesting tropical disease we learnt about in medical school and never thought we would see in our practices in South Australia. Of the 1300 refugees who settled in Australia in 2004-2005, 70% have come from Africa and 40% were infected with schistosomiasis. See attached article for more details.
MBS Information
Please visit MBS Online at http://www9.health.gov.au//mbs/search.cfm?q=705&sopt=I
Or for more information please feel free to contact the Migrant Health Service on 8237 3900. (other contact details below).
Hepatitis In Refugees (Oct 07)
The rate of hepatitis B (HBV) infection in Australia is 2.2 per 100,000 with 70% of those with chronic HBV born overseas. Refugees come from countries such as sub-Saharan Africa and Asia where 10% or more of the population have chronic HBV, the majority contracted in childhood. 25% of these will die of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma from the HBV. Screening and follow-up are important to reduce transmission, vaccinate family and assess eligibility for treatment.
The prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) is high in many of the countries where refugees have been born or have stayed in transit. For example in Egypt, the prevalence of HCV antibodies is 15-20% because of transmission by health professionals during a vaccination program. It is important to do a qualitative PCR in those with antibodies to assess whether the patient has cleared the virus or needs to be considered for treatment.
P.E.A.C.E is a multicultural education and support service for those with HIV and hepatitis (08 8245 8100) and the Hepatitis C Council can be contacted by patients or GPs for information and support (08 8362 8443/1800 021 133 free call rural callers). The Migrant Health Service (21 Market St, Adelaide) has specialised GPs and other health professionals who can assist with information or see patients for culturally sensitive education or the development of a management plan (08 82373900). A recent article about Hepatitis in refugees published in the Australian Family Physician can be accessed at http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200709/18552
Contact
| Name: | Dr Jill Benson |
| Position: |
Senior Medical Officer |
| Organisation: | Migrant Health Service |
| Email: | Jill.Benson@health.sa.gov.au |
| Address: |
Central Northern Adelaide Health Service |
| Phone: |
08 8237 3900 |
| Fax: | 08 8237 3949 |
The Migrant Health Service is a state-funded specialist primary health provider that offers comprehensive health screening and early intervention to newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers.
Dr Jill Benson is there on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings as telephone support or to facilitate referrals, other GPs are there at various times and specialised nurses are there at all times.
Page updated 12/11