Introduction
The West Australian Refugee Health Network (WARHN) is a voluntary network of health professionals with an interest in the health of refugees and asylum seekers living in all parts of Western Australia.

Background
WARHN endorses the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health policy statement of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. WARHN believes that access to appropriate health care is a basic human right in any civilised society and calls on all WA health professionals to provide and advocate for high quality health care services for all people living in Western Australia.

As the RACGP policy states, refugees living in our community have specific needs. In addition to the range of complaints similar to those of the rest of the Australian population, the following health problems are likely to be common amongst refugees:

• psychological disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and psychosomatic disorders

• direct physical consequences of torture such as musculoskeletal pain or deafness

• under recognised and under managed hypertension, diabetes and chronic pain

• poor oral health, a result of poor nutrition and diet, lack of fluoridated water, poor dental hygiene practices and limited dental care in the past

• infectious diseases including TB and intestinal parasites

• delayed growth or development in children

• difficulties accessing primary health care due to linguistic, cultural or financial barriers

WARHN also recognises the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), Convention of the Rights of the Child (1990) and the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) as common standards for all nations, including Australia.

Aims
1. To create a database of health professionals practicing in Western Australia, who are willing to treat refugees and asylum seekers. Minimum standards of care include the use of an appropriately trained interpreter during consultations, and flexibility with billing arrangements.
 
2. To distribute this list of practitioners to community nurses, doctors, emergency departments, hospitals and refugee advocacy groups throughout the state, to facilitate the prompt referral of refugee patients and to encourage continuity of care in the community.
 
3. To organise education programs for health professionals on aspects of refugee health and act as a forum for discussion/distribution of ideas and resources, locally, nationally and internationally on all aspects of refugee health.
 
4. To work to improve health outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers living in the community and in immigration detention centres.
 
5. To highlight refugee and asylum seeker health issues in the wider community of Western Australia.