Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Send news

News tags

mental health  physical activity  earthquake  vacancies  families  public health  children  funding  poverty  health determinants  social  Community development  planning  employment  healthy cities  volunteers  newsletter  youth  volunteering  nutrition  employment opportunity  housing  alcohol and drugs  maori  community engagement  rebuilding  wellbeing  disabilities  Lectures  counselling  Training  earthquake recovery  sustainability  event  community gardens  Community  seminar  Awards  stress  Community Groups  mens health  research  arts  smokefree  culture  men  exercise  migrants  community event  education  environment  resilience  human rights  health  medical  business  sport  conferences  survey  mental wellbeing  Courses  obesity  elderly  support group  environmental health  healthy food  health promotion  violence  pacific health  resources  rebuild  women  race relations  meeting  gardens  workshop  services  leadership  forum  water  disabled  repair  transport  prevention  pacific  dance  fundraising  asian health  sexual health  inequality  cancer  support  disasters  development  mindfulness  dementia  presentation  collaboration  health in all policies  data analysis  recovery  smoking  law  drugs and alcohol  technology  safety  cycling  Sleep  policy  parenting  media  hearing  walking  land  neighbours  social justice  qualification  resilient cities  information  community connection  consultation  oral health  bullying  depression  youth empowerment  young people  activities  non-profit  charity  harm  NURSES  addiction  disease  Communication  alcohol  symposium  submission  anxiety  accessibility  Relationships  eating  economics  Advocacy  eLearning  falls  parking  energy  efficiency  heating  insulation  advice  Eating Disorders  abuse  waste  Matariki  webinar  diabetes  workplace  Film  Climate Change  solutions  urban  management  economy  plan  restoration  Report  Vulnerability  welfare  parks  learning  awareness  emergencies  legislation  injury prevention  reading  Meeting Room  conservation  language  refugees  recreation  built environment  data  venue  urban design  Food  older people  finances  suicide  heritage  gender  recycling  breastfeeding  public  identity  Nursing  submissions  Rainbow  biodiversity  campaign  promotion  Gut Health  diversity  therapy  older adults  sexuality  computing  pollution  School Holidays  Arts Therapy  providers  gambling  Maori health  Cervical cancer  screening  trauma  autism  Governance  treaty of waitangi  care  mentoring  pets  relaxation  Professional Development  pornography  exhibition  history  discrimination  vaping  equity  lockdown  grief  rural  hygiene  participation  tourism  summer  intervention  warning  podcast  science  petition  swimming  roadworks  traffic  wildlife  beaches  pools  immunisation  vaccination  brain  preparation  open day  market  evaluation  noise  music  property  testing  crafts  CALD  cultural diversity  camping  creativity  child health  tamariki  climate action  Pasifika  refugee  migrant  community events  road safety  library  Hornby  skills  placemaking  regenerative communities  journey  reflection  regional council  councillors  water management  emergency management  retirement  stress management  Christmas  family  festival  alcohol harm  waterways  planting  health protection  legionnaire's disease  hepatitis  heatwaves  river beds  water safety  fishing  gardening  workshops  stormwater  biosecurity  volunteer  plant and animal pest management  politics  faith  crime  drugs  pregnancy  native birds  Waimakariri  water quality  schools  early childhood  health professionals  heart disease  kura  school  ethical issues  rangatahi  Linwood  running  donations  whanau  financial pressures  online  health professional  flooding  conflict  peace  winter 

Waitaha Canterbury Refugee Health launched

Wednesday, April 3, 2024   Posted in: Signatory Notice Board By: Administrator With tags: migrants, refugees, health, services

Pegasus Health recently launched its Refugee Health Service - a confidential and FREE health service helping former refugees access healthcare in Christchurch and Ashburton.

General Manager Patient and Provider Services, Pegasus Health Lisa Brennan says the service has a community-based approach.

“At Pegasus we aim to reduce inequity and remove barriers by having competent and well-funded wrap-around services. The service is based on the feedback we received from the former refugee communities and those who support them in health and social services.”

The service has set a national benchmark, expanding the eligibility criteria to include refugee groups beyond the annual quota refugees, ensuring broader access to health services, including for harder-to-reach populations, she says.

CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) Health Manager Ester Vallero and Refugee Health Service Team Lead Sahra Ahmed from Pegasus Health urged other refugee services nationwide to adopt this benchmark eligibility criteria, replicating the success achieved in Christchurch and Ashburton to benefit former refugees across the country.

Hauora Maori Manager at Pegasus Health Kimi Jackson shared a touching whakataukī at the launch, highlighting the challenges faced by former refugees who did not choose to leave their homeland.

Korihi te manu, takiri mai I te ata. Ka ao, ka ao. Tihei mauri ora.
The bird sings, the morning has dawned. The day has broken. Behold there is life.

Just like manu (birds) that are sure to sing when morning breaks, so does the life and everyday activities of all those that are here in Aotearoa, Kimi says – an appropriate sentiment to launch the service for those who are beginning again.

“What a wonderful service we have in our Refugee Health team to have kaimahi that can help taurewa (refugees) create a life of their choice in a whenua that is new and not necessarily their first choice.”

Over the last five years, the Refugee Health Services team has grown from one to 10 members. The team offers a confidential and free service for six months, or longer if necessary. The support includes help with general practice (GP) enrolments, guidance through initial GP appointments, interpretation services, and assistance in accessing various health services including pharmacies, labs, maternity care, optometry, dental care and other health-related support as needed.

The Refugee Health Service marks an important step in supporting former refugees in their journey here in Aotearoa.

Find out more about the Waitaha Canterbury Refugee Health Service.