Multicultural access to primary health care

Thank you tocommunity members who replied to the survey asking about primary care services for multicultural community members in Canberra. Respondents told us general practice services find it challenging to meet all needs of multicultural community members due to lack of resources. A suggestion was received that additional funding to support social workers or link workers in general practice could allow for more comprehensive management of multicultural community members health needs.

CHN will share any resources with general practices that are developed from two funded projects that aim to improve awareness, understanding and navigation of primary health services for Canberra’s multicultural community members. The funding is part of the Australian Government’s Multicultural Access Program. Primary health services means care you receive in the community, not in a hospital, from GPs, nurses and allied health professionals.

The projects draw on findings from the ACT Multicultural Primary Health Care Needs Assessment completed in 2024.CHN worked with Health Care Consumers Association of the ACT and the Multicultural Hub, Canberra, to understand more about the primary health needs of Canberra’s multicultural communities. You can read more about the Multicultural Primary Care Needs Assessment here.