About the Outer Northern Refugee Health Network
In September 2015, the Federal government announced the offer of an additional 12,000 humanitarian places for people displaced by the conflict in Syria & Iraq. In response to this announcement local health and social support services across the outer northern growth corridor of Melbourne formed the Outer Northern Refugee Health Network (ONRHN) under the auspice of the Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership (HWPCP) - Shared Vision for the Growing North.
The ONRHN acts as a catchment based platform, with over thirty organisations (listed below) formally registered as members and providers of health and social supports to refugees and asylum seekers in the outer north.
The aim of the network is to guide local system improvements in order to support the complex needs of arriving people from refugee backgrounds. Through adopting a strong focus on integrated reform across multiple service sectors, the networks guiding Terms of Reference assure accountably, integration and innovation in the shaping of future refugee service development activities. Here is the link to our Terms of Reference link
The HWPCP invites other organisations who play a key role in both the co-design and delivery of timely and quality refugee focused support services to join the ONRHN. Together we can be part of a strong and solution-focused collaborative that aims to support the complex needs of arriving refugees in the outer northern interface corridor of Melbourne.
For more information about the work of the Network or to answer any queries in relation to future involvement, please visit the website at www.onrhn.org.au, or alternatively, contact Sarah Gafforini, Executive Officer, Shared Vision for Growing North on 0418 922 256 or sarahg@hwpcp.org.au.
The Outer Northern Refugee Health Network members are strongly committed to supporting refugee and asylum seekers to access quality health and social services so that they can settle and thrive in local communities.
Our Work
Outer Northern Refugee Health Network Strategic Plan
Given the value of the Outer Northern Refugee Health Network in improving responses to refugees, and the ongoing need for these services in the community it was timely for the ONRHN to develop a strategic plan to assist member organisations to prioritise their joint activities over the next three years (2018-2021).
For further information, please click on the following link to download the final version: link
The Outer Northern Refugee Health Network Service Directory
A key initiative of the network is the development of the Outer Northern Refugee Health Network Service Directory. It has been designed for Health Care Professionals to give easy access, accessible information on services and be a quick reference guide for refugee and asylum seekers services.
Click on the image to download the latest version.
Together with Swinburne University and the City of Whittlesea (Working for Victorian Grants) we are currently transforming the Directory into an App, due to be available in 2021. Watch this space!
The Outer Northern Refugee Health Data Bulletin
The first issue of the Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership and Outer Northern Refugee Health Network Data Bulletin is now available. The Data Bulletin is useful for service providers to use for service planning and funding opportunities. It will be updated and published quarterly.
Click on the image to download the latest version.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Interagency Networks in the Outer Northern Growth Corridor
As a significant growth corridor, planning and service delivery by local services in the outer north catchment, is best achieved via a sustained cross-service partnership approach. In order to support joint planning efforts between services, on behalf of the ONRHN membership, we have developed a register of Refugee and Asylum seeker interagency networks currently operating in the catchment. This collated list aims to help services to better coordinate their planning and networking interests across a number of important forums relating to our emerging diverse communities. In addition, we are committed to assisting these networks to work more effectively together particularly on joint projects and communication / information sharing thus reducing duplication and maximising collaborative effort and impact.
A special thank you to those who have provided information for the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Interagency Networks listing. Please note that there are still some gaps in the document and if you are able to assist and provide this information it would be most appreciated. If you attend a regular Refugee and Asylum Seeker Interagency Network (Coordination Committee, Advisory Group, Working Group, Local Service Coalition, Forum) and / or if you are aware of one of these networks please complete the template and forward to Sarah Gafforini, Executive Officer, Shared Vision for Growing North sarahg@hwpcp.org.au.
Shared Vision for the Growing North is committed to progressing improved communication strategies for organisations and therefore will be responsible for keeping this document updated and available on the HWPCP website.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Interagency Networks link
Acknowledgements
The Hume Whitlesea Primary Care Partnership acknowledges the commitment of the following organisations for their support and their ongoing commitment to the Outer Northern Refugee Health Network:
- AMES
- Arabic Welfare
- Austin Health
- Banyule City Council
- Banyule Community Health
- Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Cabrini Asylum Seeker & Refugee Health Hub
- City of Whittlesea
- cohealth
- Department of Education and Training
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Human Services
- DPV Health
- Eastern Melbourne PHN
- Epping Community Services Hub
- Foundation House
- Hume City Council
- Lentara Uniting Care
- Life Without Barriers
- MIND Australia
- Mitchell Shire Council
- NEAMI
- Nexus Primary Health
- Nillumbik Shire Council
- North Western Melbourne PHN
- Northern Area Mental Health
- Northern Health
- Orygen Youth Health
- Royal Children’s Hospital
- Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre
- St Vincent’s Hospital
- Sunbury Community Health
- Victorian Refugee Health Network
- Whittlesea Community Connections
- Women’s Health in the North