Multicultural Health Service

The Multicultural Health Service strives to ensure that our culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities have the same access to health services and information, and the same quality of care as their fellow residents.

We work with communities to: identify their health needs, establish support groups, provide health information in appropriate languages, and assist refugees. We also support our colleagues working in hospitals and services, throughout the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts, to work with ethnic communities and to develop cultural competence in the delivery of services.

What's New?

Announcement of SESLHD Cultural Diversity Health Enhancement Grants Projects 2012-2013
The Multicultural Health Service is offering, through our Cultural Diversity Health Enhancement Grants Program, grants for projects that will improve access to health services or information for culturally and linguistically diverse people, or that will increase awareness of access issues. Information about the Program and the application forms.

For listings of previously funded projects under the Cultural Diversity Health Enhancement Grants Program for the following categories:

Multicultural Policies and Services Program 2010-2011
The Multicultural Policies and Services Plan, formerly known as EAPS, outlines how the former SESLHD and ISLHD have embedded, over the past 12 months, the Principles of Multiculturalism in our core business.
View SESLHD MPSP 2010-2011 Report
View ISLHD MPSP 2010-2011 Report
View MPSP 2009-2010 report

Men's Health Week Celebration
When: Saturday, 18 June 2011
Where: Bunnings Warehouse, Wollongong
Time: 10am - 1pm

The MHS is joining forces with Bunnings Warehouse Wollongong, Healthy Cities Illawarra, Men's Sheds and the Transcultural Mental Health Centre to encourage men to improve their health.

Boys, men and their families are invited to come along to the free family day to:

learn about their health
receive free health checks
talk about health concerns with health professionals
obtain information in community languages

There will also be live entertainment, children's activities, DIY workshop and craft displays.

More information phone Zaga on 4221 6700.

New Multicultural Health Service Strategic Plan
The newly formed South Eastern Sydney Local Health District has released a Multicultural Health Service Strategic Plan 2010-2012. Download

New NSW Refugee Health Plan
The MHS is working with hospitals and services throughout the South Eastern Sydney and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health Districts, to develop an implementation plan for refugee health improvement. The plan will outline how the needs of our refugee population will continue to be met. Download

Engaging the Bangladeshi Community Report
A report produced by the South Eastern Sydney Bangladeshi Reference Group shows what can be achieved when Health, Local Government and Community Services work together with an emerging community. The Report offers practical and useful information that while focusing on the Bangladeshi community can be used to engage any culturally diverse group. Download

New research targeting refugee and other vulnerable new arrival students
The MHS has been awarded a 2010 Schools First Local Seed Funding Award for a project targeting refugee and other vulnerable new arrival students. The project aims to improve early identification of and intervention for health issues likely to impact on student learning.

A new model of nurse-led health screening will be piloted for a 12 month period and will combine the skills and expertise of education and health professionals. The screening will be provided in conjunction with parent education and linking students and their families with local GPs. The pilot will be held in Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre (IEC) which serves around 300 high school aged students each year.

Communicating with patients from CALD backgrounds E-learning program
Our interactive multimedia learning program is now available online and on disc.

The program, Communicating with patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Case study: Ms Shu Fen Chen is designed to assist nurses and other health staff to enhance their communication skills and capacity to work with patients from CALD backgrounds.