A multidisciplinary primary healthcare clinic for newly arrived humanitarian entrants in regional NSW: model of service delivery and summary of preliminary findings.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a multidisciplinary primary healthcare clinic for newly arrived humanitarian entrants in regional New South Wales and report health problems and issues encountered during the initial period of operation.


METHODS
A quality assurance study of the Coffs Harbour Refugee Health Clinic (a collaboration between the Area Health Service and general practitioners) was undertaken from February to December 2006.


RESULTS
Seventy-six patients received a comprehensive health assessment: 69 of these within 12 months of arrival. The median time from arrival in Australia to the first clinic visit was five days. Problems detected were categorised according to their management options. GP clinic providers expressed concern about referring patients to GPs in the community for ongoing care.


CONCLUSIONS
The Coffs Harbour Refugee Health Clinic represents a successful collaboration between relevant stakeholders. It was well utilised by the target community.


CONCLUSIONS
The service delivery model used in the clinic could be replicated in other areas in regional Australia, provided financial and human resources are available.
Gould
Gillian
G
Rural Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 812, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. gillian.gould@unsw.edu.au
Viney
Kerri
K
Greenwood
Michele
M
Kramer
John
J
Corben
Paul
P
D000533:Altruism; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*