The incredible service provided by the primary care team at the Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub was recently acknowledged at the Stronger Medicare Awards, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Medicare. The team of general practitioners and nurses who assist marginalised asylum seekers with their health needs, have been recognised as ‘Medicare Champions’.
The primary care team consists of four refugee health nurses and seven general practitioners. The generosity of these staff, whose tireless and selfless work assists hundreds of people each year was acknowledged at the awards, presented at Parliament House by the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Health Minister Mark Butler and the Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney on 4 November 2024. The team was commended for ‘doing extraordinary work with limited resources’.
The Hub provides free primary care, specialist mental health care and psycho-social support to asylum seekers. Dr Trish Hough, GP and Medical Director of primary care services at the Hub, said the award helps to acknowledge the high-quality healthcare, hard work and unwavering dedication of staff. “We are fortunately supported by a team of pro-bono GPs, who generously offer their time and show their dedication to assisting vulnerable asylum seekers. I am incredibly proud of the team and the work they do,” Trish said.
Indeed, over the 2023-24 financial year, the Hub assisted 511 asylum seeker clients. This included over 800 GP consultations, 1061 face-to-face nurse consultations and a staggering 6740 episodes of care coordination. “The mental health of asylum seekers can be particularly affected by the difficult circumstances that have led them to seek sanctuary in our country, and many young clients and families have chronic health conditions and complex needs,” Trish said.
Furthermore, the provision of free medication to people seeking asylum with limited access to funds is vital to their health and wellbeing. “In the last financial year, 1293 clients received 4063 essential medications for free as part of our pharmacy waiver program,” Trish noted.
The last 18 months have seen increased demand for the Hub’s services. So, one of the biggest highlights was the move to larger premises in Northcote in July 2023, Tracey Cabrie, General Manager – Asylum Seeker Health Services, noted. “After being in Brunswick for seven years, the Hub is now twice the size, with five consulting rooms, a meeting room and administration space for the team, plus it has much needed, improved facilities for the clients,” Tracey said.
In addition to providing first-hand health support for people seeking asylum, the Hub provides individual client advocacy and complex case coordination, working with many key external stakeholders including government and peak bodies, as well as housing, legal, education, transport, food banks, material aid and emergency relief organisations. The Hub also facilitates community connections for people via hobbies, sport, social groups or employment programs. “This holistic way of working builds trusted relationships, and assists clients and their family’s recovery by restoring some hope, dignity and purpose to their lives,” Tracey said.