With a massive fall in the number of medical consultations in May, ethnic communities are being urged to not neglect their health and continue to see their GPs (General Practitioners) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research by MBS has found that there were one million fewer consultations in May compared to the previous year and the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Consumer Health Forum of Australia have called on people from the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities to continue to see their doctors for any health concerns including mental health issues.
The reduction in consultations coincided with tough anti-COVID measures imposed in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire as well as the rest of Victoria and New South Wales where there has been a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
Dr Kate Walker, a spokesperson for the RACGP said the organisation was concerned about CALD patients who were avoiding important medical appointments because of their of COVID-19.
“There are higher rates of chronic disease and other comorbidities among some CALD communities,” she said.
“GPs have told us their CALD patients are bearing the brunt of the pandemic. We are hearing of vulnerable patients who’ve lost work and are under a great deal of stress, GPs are seeing increased mental health symptoms, isolation and loneliness,” said Dr Walker.
FECCA Chairperson Mary Patetsos said more needed to be done to address the barriers CALD communities face to healthcare.
“We need to recognise the barriers CALD communities face to healthcare including language and cultural barriers, which may affect health literacy and outcomes. We need equity in services to ensure those communities are not disadvantaged.
“GPs have a role to play here – we encourage GPs to be proactive and reach out to their CALD patients who may need reassurance that it is safe and important to keep their regular health checks.
“We urge health authorities to consult and collaborate with CALD consumer peak bodies, such as FECCA, to address the challenges and needs of CALD Australians when it comes to their health care.”
The RACGP, CHF and FECCA say the barriers to care for CALD patients need to be addressed and are calling for:
♦ Consultation with CALD communities – health authorities must involve communities and peak bodies in developing strategies to address the health needs of CALD Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic;
♦ CALD community education campaigns on accessing GP care including support for using telehealth and the Australian Government’s free Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS);
♦ CALD peak bodies and community groups must be involved in developing and disseminating COVID-19 information and directives. More targeted information is needed about testing, self-isolation, contact tracing and healthcare for those who have tested positive;
♦ Care and support of COVID-19 positive patients should involve CALD communities remotely if possible;
♦ Improved video consultation access – there is currently no video consultation platform available that enables the use of interpreters. We encourage video platforms to enable easy integration of telephone interpreters, simplify the interface and provide information on alternative telephone options;
♦ CALD peak bodies and community groups must be involved in developing and disseminating COVID-19 information and directives. More targeted information is needed about testing, self-isolation, contact tracing and healthcare for those who have tested positive;
♦ Care and support of COVID-19 positive patients should involve CALD communities remotely if possible; and
♦ Improved video consultation access – there is currently no video consultation platform available that enables the use of interpreters. We encourage video platforms to enable easy integration of telephone interpreters, simplify the interface and provide information on alternative telephone options.
Patients from the CALD communities should:
♦ Take care of your health – don’t delay care, call your GP for any concerns;
♦ You can consult your GP remotely – telephone and video consultations are available, subsidised for all concession card holders, those under 16 and patients and those who are more vulnerable to COVID-19;
♦ Free interpreter services are available for telephone consultations, via the Australian Government’s Translation and Interpreting Service (TIS) Ph 131450;
♦ Iit is safe to visit your GP if you need to – practices have strict infection control measures, including sanitisation, social distancing and personal protective equipment; and
♦ If you have COVID-19 symptoms (cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fever or chills or loss of smell or taste) get tested right away and self-isolate until you get the results.