Australia has one of the most multicultural populations in the world, and a significant proportion of our population does not speak English fluently.

Such language difficulties, along with a lack of knowledge of the Australian health care system limit access to health information and health care services. There is also a likelihood that there are cultural sensitivities involved in service and support provision.

A number of initiatives have been introduced to address this cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) including:

• health information translated into community languages,
• interpreting services (including by telephone), and
• culturally specific support services.

For reliable health information translated into community languages see the Health Translations Directory. This directory links to online multilingual health resources from government departments, peak health bodies, hospitals, community health centres and welfare agencies. You can search by topic, by language, or both.

Through The Cancer Council you can listen to pre-recorded information in several languages or you can talk about cancer with someone who speaks your own language. They also provide interpreters for over-the-phone counselling. You can find out about these information services and many others that are provided in different languages in the Personal Support category.

Multicultural Services is grouped into the following sub-categories:

• Aboriginal services
• Ethnic support services
• Interpreting services

Aboriginal services

A range of different health programs and health workers may be available to support and advocate on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These health workers may include Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal Liaison Officers, Aboriginal Health Education Officers and Aboriginal Nurses. Some specialist services also provide GP and supportive treatment services.

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Ethnic support services

People should always be encouraged to seek support from family and friends. However there may be a need to seek support from further afield - for people from CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) backgrounds there are community and ethnic support organizations.

The concept of support may not be familiar to people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Also, it may not be considered appropriate to seek support outside of ones family. It is therefore important to explain what is meant by support and what value it may offer eg the opportunity to talk to someone from a similar ethnic background who has also experienced cancer.

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Interpreting services

It is important to raise any potential communication difficulties at the very first consultation. Involvement of family members, friends or other unqualified people to assist with interpreting is not wise. For various reasons family/friends may seek to censor or alter information, or their language skills may be inadequate.

It is recommended that an interpreter is sourced through your treatment service whenever langauge difficulties are present.

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