About RHS - Our Aim
The NSW Refugee Health Service aims to protect and promote the health of
refugees and people of refugee-like backgrounds living in NSW.
Our service:
- provides consultation and support to health care workers and others
working with refugees and asylum seekers
- educates health service providers on refugee health and related issues
- acts as a link between agencies working with refugees and health services
- provides health information to refugees
- provides clinical assessments and referrals, particularly for recent arrivals
- facilitates and conducts research in refugee health
- and advocates for health policies and services relevant to the health of refugees.
The intended outcome of these activities is an improvement of the health of refugees, primarily
through timely access to appropriate assessment, treatment and related services, and increased
worker knowledge and skills for dealing with health-related problems.
For the NSW health system, including Area Health Services and General Practitioners in
particular, the benefits include improved access to information and training relating to
working with refugees, and assistance from specialised staff in providing care to individuals
and to refugee communities as a whole.
