Healthy North Coast is inviting general practices in Coffs Harbour to join the Refugee Transition to General Practice program. The program is a collaborative effort with the MNCLHD (Coffs Harbour Health Campus Refugee Health Clinic), aimed at assisting general practices in accepting and maintaining refugee patients.

Program details

The Refugee Transition to General Practice initiative aims to enhance healthcare access for refugee patients in the Coffs Harbour region. Enrolled practices will have the support of a social worker through the program, provided by Healthy North Coast (Note: enrolled practices do not need to employ a social worker). The appointed social worker will work closely with participating general practices to improve refugee patients’ access to healthcare services and overcome any barriers they may encounter in receiving care.

In addition to the social worker’s role, the initiative entails establishing referral pathways between the general practices and the Refugee Health Clinic to ensure that appropriate care pathways can be optimised. This strategic measure ensures a seamless and efficient process for clients seeking healthcare services. Furthermore, community outreach and education sessions will be organised by the Refugee Transition to General Practice program to raise awareness among refugee and multicultural communities regarding available healthcare services and how to access them effectively.

The overarching goal is to create a healthcare system that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of refugee patients in the Coffs Harbour region.

Funding and timeline

The grant is available to three general practices.

A one-off $25,000 grant will be awarded to each participating general practice. The grant can be used by the general practice for activities that enhance their capacity to provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive healthcare services to refugee patients. The grant can be used for the following purposes:

1. Staff Training or Up-skilling to better support the care needs of refugee patients. This could involve cultural competency training, language interpretation services, or specialised training in refugee health issues.
2. Additional Resourcing to cover the costs associated with additional resources required to effectively manage and care for refugee patients. This may include:

Appointment Scheduling: to improve appointment scheduling systems to accommodate the specific needs of refugee patients, such as longer appointment times or flexible scheduling options.

Initial Patient Assessment and Registration: to streamline the process of initial patient assessment and registration for refugee patients, ensuring a smooth transition into the healthcare system.

Setting up Management and Care Plans: to cover the costs of setting up management and care plans tailored to the unique needs of refugee patients, including coordination of care among healthcare providers and community support services.

    3. Evaluation and Quality Improvement Initiatives evaluating the effectiveness of refugee health services provided by the general practice and implementing quality improvement initiatives. This could involve conducting patient satisfaction surveys, analysing clinical outcomes, and developing strategies to enhance service delivery.

The trial program is due to commence in July 2024 and will run for two years.

Eligibility Criteria

Location: The general practice must be located within the Coffs Harbour area.

Accreditation: The practice must be accredited according to relevant healthcare standards and regulations.

Capacity for New Patients: The practice must demonstrate the capacity to accommodate new patients.

Desirable: Existing Relationship or Experience: Preference will be given to practices with existing relationships or experience working with the Refugee Health Clinic or providing services to refugee communities. Applicants with demonstrated expertise or engagement in refugee health initiatives will be viewed favourably during the selection process.

Application instructions

Please click this link to access the online application form. Complete all sections, saving progress as needed.

Late applications will not be considered.

Confirmation: A confirmation email will be sent to you upon submission.

If you would like further information about this program, please email Commissioning@HNC.org.au