Multicultural Health Eastern Team

• 2003-2005 Speech Pathology Project
  
  With the help of a grant from the Multicultural Health Eastern Team, the Speech Pathology Department at St Joseph's Hospital undertook a project to develop and then have translated, six speech pathology resources for use with inpatients and outpatients. The resources are for use with patients with communication and swallowing impairments at the time of hospital admission and/or discharge and include items such as a brochure explaining speech pathology, screening, yes/no assessment questions and a description of the outpatient student unit.
  
  The resources are available in Arabic, Croatian, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese. The project receive a 'Certificate of Commendation' at the 2005 Multicultural Health Awards Ceremony held at Parliament House in July that year.
  
  Download these resources
  
  
• Physiotherapy Project
  
  This was a collaborative project conducted by the Multicultural Health Eastern Team and the Physiotherapy Department at Auburn Hospital from July 2003 to September 2004. The project aimed to identify ways of improving physiotherapy services for clients from CALD backgrounds, particularly Arabic speaking communities.
  
  Download these resources
  
  
• 2005-2007 Antenatal Services & Delivery Suite, Westmead Hospital
  
  In partnership we produced an audiotape in major languages with information on procedures and services for care during childbirth.
  
  
• Department of Clinical Psychology, St Joseph's Hospital
  
  In partnership with Senior Neurophychologists Jamie Berry and Karen Wallace we are conducting a neuropsychological CALD study to develop valid and reliable tools for the neuropsychological assessment of Chinese patients to assist with diagnosing dementia.
  
  
• Hills Community Health, Health Promotion, Multicultural Health Team
  
  Through this project we developed a printed resource to improve fall prevention awareness amongst Chinese, Korean and Arabic older people in the Hills Area and built capacity with CALD volunteers by providing training about falls prevention.
  
  
• Refugee Family Access Committee
  
  We are currently developing a video on the importance of antenatal care. This is aimed at women from refugee type backgrounds and will be available in the following languages:Somalian, Dinka, Arabic (Sudanese dialect), Arabic (Lebanese dialect) and Indonesian.
  
  
• Speech Pathology - Auburn Community Health
  
  We are assisting with devising strategies to improving speech pathology intervention with Chinese clients.
  
  
• Speech Pathology Department - St Joseph's Hospital
  
  Through the use of Multimedia Message Mate we are improving equity and access for CALD patients via verbal prompts/instructions about communication strategies and safe swallowing.
  

Multicultural Health Western Team

• "La Keny' - The Journey
  
  In Penrith NSW we have a growing Southern Sudanese community with all the challenges that settling from a refugee background entails. Whilst several agencies had engaged adult Southern Sudanese in projects there was little connection established between their young people and any services.
  
  To relate to these young people and discover their needs and issues it was necessary to engage their interest and provide them with opportunities to exchange information, and learn new skills in a healthy environment. Therefore 'La Keny' an outdoor residential weekend away was organised through a partnership of organisations including SWAHS Multicultural Health, FPA Youth Health Services, STARTTS and Nepean Adolescent and Family Services.
  
  'La Keny' was organised by the partnership in consultation with community leaders and parents. A Southern Sudanese young person was recruited as a bicultural worker to provide peer support and assist with planning, promotion and organisation of the camp.
  
  At the camp, discussions on cultural differences and artistic workshops were held alongside adventure activities such as high ropes and rock climbing. These facilitated the development of physical skills and social networks, and discussions about the journey from Sudanese to Australian culture and the relevance of both to the young people.
  
  All the activities were recorded by the young people using disposable cameras, giving another facet to the journey from Sudan to Australia in the form of "snaps" of the adventure.
  
  Connections were maintained after the camp through young people and workers presenting the weekend away to the parents and the community.
  
  
• "Penrith through new eyes" 2004
  
  This project encouraged young refugees aged 12-25 living in the Penrith area to explore issues associated with living in their new surroundings, using disposable cameras.
  
  It aimed to increase their self-esteem and sense of wellbeing and create a sense of community for these young people. Participation in a joint activity would help break down the isolation of dispersed refugee young people, thus decreasing the likelihood of ensuing mental health issues.
  
  The project culminated in an exhibition of the refugee young people's photography with annotated meaning at Nepean Hospital and the Penrith Regional Art Gallery and Lewers Bequest. The Chief Executive Officer of the former Wentworth Area Health Service launched the exhibition at Nepean Hospital on 24 June 2006. Families, friends, health, youth and associated workers and the local community were invited to view the work and take part in the celebrations. The exhibition also provided an opportunity to educate and build community and service understanding of the needs and issues of young refugees.
  
  
• East Meets West: Exploring Cultural Diversity in the Blue Mountains (2006-2007)
  
  This project has involved consultations with a range of Blue Mountains residents from CALD backgrounds and local frontline service providers to identify health and other issues facing them and strategies for improving service delivery.
  
  
• A Safer Path
  
  This mosaic project was born in 2005 from conversations with a group of Southern Sudanese women from the Penrith LGA who met weekly.
  
  In exploring safety within this project we looked at issues associated with Sudan and Australia and expressed them visually via two mosaics, one depicting safety in Sudan, the other, similar issues relating to life in Australia. For example in developing the Sudan mosaic we discussed the impact of the war and the refugee experience and it was important to incorporate images of a cow and children within the Dinka culture and the corral fence to keep out danger.
  
  In the Australian mosaic we looked at issues of safety for the women and their children here and finding culturally appropriate solutions. The women wanted this mosaic to show the importance of reaching out for support when experiencing difficulties, and that there is a role for trusted workers as well as elders and other community members.
  
  We used different art forms as we went through this process including clay work and painting.
  
  The two mosaics created by the Sudanese women's group with the help of Somara a mosaic artist, are a celebration of our conversations as we travelled together on a journey of mutual discovery and understanding. The mosaics are on display at Nepean Hospital along with some of the women's pottery.
  
  
• Southern Sudanese Women's Mosaic Project - 'A Safer Path' Report