Refugee Week gives us the opportunity to focus on teams at Monash Health that provide fundamental services for our refugee community.
Caring for our refugee community is largely assisted by our interpreter service, which can be involved every step of the way through a refugee’s journey with Monash Health.
Interpreters are provided when:
- a patient does not understand what staff are saying
- a patient does not understand anything they are required to sign
- it would be easier to communicate with staff in a patient’s native language
Our interpreters provide independent, unbiased, confidential, complete and accurate interpreting for both parties, and can be accessed through our Interpreter Booking System.
Mili Plecic, Manager of Language Services at Monash Health, explains that effective communication is central to quality health care.
“Timely access to interpreters is essential, especially for refugees, because a substantial proportion of them are fleeing persecution, torture, and war, and are estimated to suffer from psychological trauma. Without an interpreter present, they simply would not be able to communicate effectively.”
Fluent in five languages, Firdawosia Kushkaki, interpreter at Monash Health, has had over seven years’ experience working with our refugee community.
Firdawosia Kushkaki, Monash Health interpreter
Firdawosia is in high demand across all Monash Health sites, particularly during the recent influx of Afghan refugees, and takes pride in “creating a safer space for the client.”
Simply having someone present who can speak the same language can help refugees feel calmer and more confident, assisting the flow of critical information between patient and clinician.
Firdawosia will often come across the same patients in different settings as their relationship with Monash Health progresses, and it is not uncommon for some patients to request the same interpreter once a sense of trust has been established. Firdawosia enjoys this aspect of her job, knowing that she is helping vulnerable people by providing the safe space they need to access care and work towards healing.
In a foreign land faced with language barriers, some refugees find solace in the presence of someone who speaks the same language.
“Occasionally some will share more [than their medical information] but we make it clear that whatever they share will be shared with the clinician. We must keep it professional…and not form any friendship.”
While her role is to “facilitate the medical side” Firdawosia also acknowledges that her presence brings so much more to the process, as she can create a space that “removes the negative emotions” to establish trust and work towards healing.
“Interpreters contribute to the holistic approach to refugee care.”
You can learn more about Refugee Week on their website.
Approved by Julia Oxley