• ensure that the direction of decision making in SWAHS reflects community needs
• provide input in Area Multicultural Health strategic planning
• facilitate the implementation of SWAHS EAPS
• monitor and evaluate the implementation of SWAHS EAPS.

These aims are achieved in conjunction with local Multicultural Access Committees and the Area Ethnic Consumer Council (AECC) committees, with support from the AMHN Area/Central Team.

Local Migrant Access Committees

Local MACs have been established in hospital and community health settings in SWAHS. The role of the MACs is to monitor the implementation of EAPS. Local MACs are responsible for reviewing the progress of units in meeting EAPS obligations, reporting quarterly to unit executives and management committees and preparing quarterly and annual EAPS plans and reports for the AMAC.

Each local Multicultural Access Committee aims to promote and coordinate service access for ethnic minority groups and ensure:

• the right of equity and access to health care services for non-English speaking patients regardless of cultural origin
• that adequate mechanisms are in place for appropriate use of HCIS
• the education of staff in the needs of patients from CALD backgrounds
• the provision of translated information for patients who have difficulty with English
• that equal employment opportunities exist for people of CALD backgrounds
• the modification of hospital services to meet the needs of patients from CALD backgrounds.

Area Ethnic Consumer Council

SWAHS has established an Area wide Ethnic Consumer Council (AECC) which represents a wide range of diverse ethnic groups and issues, aiming to:

• develop effective two way communication, community consultation and participation between CALD communities and SWAHS to ensure that the direction of the Area Health Board and the decision making in SWAHS reflects community needs
  
• enhance the mechanisms of information exchange between SWAHS and ethnic communities with particular focus on raising the level of awareness of the role and function of the AECC.