Refugee Health
Who we are
The PCH Refugee Health Service (RHS) coordinates and manages the complex care needs of recently resettled refugee and asylum seeker children up to 16 years of age.
Our specialist medical, nursing, social work, dietetic, dental, mental health and school liaison staff offer a holistic service to meet the needs of refugee children, adolescents and their families.
Services we provide
We review recently arrived humanitarian refugees and asylum seeker children with a history of detention.
Referrals of all age appropriate siblings within a family unit are encouraged.
Professional interpreters are used as required and on site interpreters are used where possible.
Please bring any health history information you have available, such as vaccination records, as well as your Medicare or International Health and Medical Services (IHMS) card to your appointment.
Your child’s first appointment might run for up to six hours as they will be seen by several members of our team.
Your child may also have to have screening blood tests, such as QuantiFERON®-TB Gold for latent tuberculosis, at your first appointment.
Follow-up appointments will be tailored to your child’s needs.
Our clinic has strong ties to PCH’s sub-specialists and community health providers for ongoing care and follow-up.
If you need help getting to PCH, our volunteers can help families with transport and can provide support during clinic appointments. Please ask Refugee Health Liaison Nurses for more information.
Referrals
Referrals can be made by medical practitioners, the Humanitarian Entrant Health Service, School or Community nurses/psychologists, case workers or via IHMS services.