Health Checks for Refugees A Good Move: Now for Asylum Seekers

Dr Haikerwal said the Government's timing of the announcement was perfect, coinciding with the release in Melbourne of the AMA's Position Statement on the Health Care of Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

"The AMA looks forward to consulting with the Government on the detail of the new health checks and we will be clarifying if indeed the initiative covers asylum seekers, as it should," Dr Haikerwal said.

The AMA first proposed a new Medicare health assessment item for refugees to the Government in March 2005. It is also contained in the AMA Federal Budget Submission, which was lodged with Treasury on 11 November 2005.

Today's AMA Position Statement states: "To determine their specific health needs, all asylum seekers and refugees should undergo comprehensive and timely health assessments in a culturally appropriate manner by suitable trained medical practitioners as part of a primary health care team. This assessment will be used to establish ongoing care."

Dr Haikerwal said he is delighted with Health Minister Tony Abbott's timely response to the AMA's call for greater compassion and fairness in providing health care to refugees.

"This new Medicare item will allow doctors to provide specialised care for people who may have experienced trauma and danger, been exposed to disease, or had poor or little health care in the past," Dr Haikerwal said.

"Many of these patients are unlikely to have medical records and may not speak English.

"Having access to proper health assessments will provide these long-suffering people a glimmer of optimism about their futures.

"We must also share that optimism with asylum seekers, and Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone, should amend the conditions of Bridging Visa E to give holders work rights and full access to Medicare," Dr Haikerwal said.