Vietnamese Primary Health Care Network Project

The Vietnamese Primary Health Care Network (VPHCN) Project aims to develop and implement a primary health care network model to effectively link Vietnamese general practitioners (GPs) and other health professionals in order to provide more accessible and comprehensive health care for the Vietnamese community in Fairfield local government area.

The project has been have been funded by the Department of Health and was initiated in April 2003. A project officer was employed and a steering committee established with the involvement of two Vietnamese GPs, Director of Community & Allied Health Service, Service Manager of Fairfield Multicultural Health Service, a representative from Fairfield GP Division, the Vietnamese Community of NSW, the Vietnamese Friendship Elderly Association, a community health nurse and a consumer.

On Wednesday 12^th June 2003, a health forum for Vietnamese GPs was organised to introduce the VPHCN project and discuss a range of health issues affecting the Vietnamese community in the Fairfield local government area. From the questionnaires received, Vietnamese GPs expressed their concerns with the long waiting lists and services not available when they make referrals to other health services. Many Vietnamese GPs indicated that they have referred their patients mostly to community nursing, speech pathology, hearing clinic, and counselling service. As a result, these services were chosen to be included in the Vietnamese Primary Health Care Network.

The participants in the health forum also found that the main benefits of the project are better networking among health services and providers, improved integration and coordination of health care, and the availability of a Vietnamese worker.  It was a very successful health forum with 14 Vietnamese GPs attending and all of them indicating that they wish to be involved in the project.

As part of the project plan, the information session on Fairfield Health Service, which included the hearing, speech, community nursing, ambulatory care, nutrition and counselling services, was organised on the 6^th August 2003. Vietnamese General Practitioners gave a very positive feedback on the usefulness of information provided. Four more Vietnamese GPs have expressed interest in being involved with the project. More information sessions about the local non-government organisations and services will be organised on the 5^th November 2003.

Another achievement of the project is the establishment of a referral system, with a simplified client intake form being developed and a contact person to provide assistance to Vietnamese GPs with the referral process. In addition, the referral information cups with the contact numbers of the six health services (hearing, speech, nutrition, counselling, community nursing and ambulatory care) were made and distributed to Vietnamese GPs participating in the project. Since the project started, many referrals have been received from Vietnamese GPs to Fairfield Health Service and finally 20 Vietnamese GPs have been involved with the project.

For further information about the project, please contact:

Ms Hien Le, Project Officer on 87174000 or email hien.le@swsahs.nsw.gov.au