Connecting with Māngere Refugee Health Service

3 hours ago

2 min read

Today we welcomed Kas Brokenshire and Jacinta Gibson, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Jikku Alex, Advanced Clinical Social Worker, from Māngere Refugee Health Service (MRHS) to The Hearing House for lunch and a chance to learn more about each other's work.

MRHS is part of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and is based at Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa – Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre. The team supports refugees arriving through New Zealand's Refugee Quota Programme during their time at the Centre and helps prepare for their ongoing healthcare when they move into communities around New Zealand.

Kas, Jacinta and Jikku talked us through their work and the range of health needs they may encounter. This includes health screening and assessments, immunisations, family planning and medication support, as well as identifying where people may need further care or connection with other health services.

It was particularly interesting to hear what happens beyond the initial health assessment. The team works to understand each person's health needs and helps connect them with the services they may need, both while they are at the Centre and when they move elsewhere in New Zealand.

We also talked about some of the practical challenges people can face when entering a health system that may be very different from those they have previously experienced, including understanding what services are available and how to access them.

For our team, it was useful to understand more about this part of New Zealand's health system and the circumstances of people arriving through the Refugee Quota Programme. We also shared more about our work at The Hearing House and discussed where our services may connect, including when hearing or communication needs are identified.

Thank you to Kas, Jacinta and Jikku for spending time with us and sharing their knowledge and experience. It was great to make the connection and learn more about the work of MRHS.

Learn more about Māngere Refugee Health Service: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/community/mangere-refugee-health-service-mrhs/

Learn more about refugee healthcare in Aotearoa: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/publications/refugee-health-care-a-handbook-for-health-and-social-care-providers