Media Release: Let's TALK ABOUT priority populations (multicultural and homeless communities)

From 10 January to 21 February 2024, Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN is asking community members, carers, and health professionals in the region to ‘TALK ABOUT’ the health needs of two of our priority populations – multicultural and homeless communities.

The PHN’s ‘TALK ABOUT’ program provides an opportunity to ask the regional community about their experiences with primary healthcare in the region.

Every three months, the PHN runs a topic of focus and asks participants through an online survey to talk about what they think is working well, and what they think could be done better.

For this topic – the health needs of priority populations - the PHN would like to hear from our multicultural communities, those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and those experiencing housing stress in our region.

In the Darling Downs and West Moreton region, more than 55,000 people were born in predominantly non-English speaking countries. Research suggests multicultural communities encounter health disparities, unique health conditions, language barriers, and discrimination in their experience with healthcare.

The PHN currently works with culturally informed health services to provide primary health care support to migrants and refugees in our region.

In relation to people experiencing homelessness, the PHN identified that the highest prevalence of homelessness in the region are within Ipswich and Toowoomba.

Through a short confidential online survey, community members can provide feedback on their experience by visiting www.ddwmphn.com.au/talk-about.

The survey explores experiences with primary healthcare, barriers to accessing care, accessing health care information, culturally safe and respectful healthcare, and what would improve healthcare in our communities.

Feedback received through the ‘TALK ABOUT’ campaign will be used to inform the PHN’s Joint Health Needs Assessment (HNA) with Darling Downs Health and West Moreton Health. The HNA identifies and informs priorities and opportunities for the region by bringing together information from the community, health services and workforce.

The online survey is being run in conjunction with a series of ‘Kitchen Table Discussions,’ facilitated by Health Consumers Queensland, which allow participants with lived experience to provide extensive feedback and share their experiences with their relationship with local primary care services.

This has involved engaging with inCommunity, who will be capturing feedback from approximately 20 members of their ‘Breakfast Club,’ a breakfast service for the homeless in Ipswich which provides them with a warm and welcoming space to access a range of services and support.

Stewart Gordon, Executive Director of Primary Care and Integration, and currently acting CEO, at the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, said that supporting the multicultural and homeless communities in our region is a key priority for the PHN.

“Our role is to support the planning and commissioning of services to ensure that there are accessible, culturally-safe health services for these communities,” said Mr Gordon.

Click to take the online survey which closes at 5pm, 21 February 2024: www.ddwmphn.com.au/talk-about.