What we found at the Forum: Awareness and sharing of CALD initiatives and resources
The 2022 Multicultural Forum provided the opportunity to share and increase awareness of multicultural initiatives, resources, NGO support services and grants available in NSW. 12 presentations shared comprehensive information from varying professionals from across the cancer system including LHD, state-wide agencies, university and CINSW program staff as well as consumer testimonies. In addition, CanRevive, Pink Sari, Sisters Cancer Support Group and Sanadi shared important information about their services.
The most favoured content on the day were the rapid-fire presentations where 84% of attendee respondents rating them ‘very good’ and ‘excellent’.
Attendees reported they found the presentations excellent, interesting, informative and inspirational with many requesting access to the presentations and the project resources. It was suggested that a central repository to share NSW projects and resources would be useful. In response to the forum, the Cancer Institute NSW established a Multicultural Newsletter disseminated quarterly to share initiatives, resources, upcoming events and key information to stakeholders in the cancer system.
“Access to the presentations and related documents would be great, to share resources and reduce "reinventing the wheel".”
LHD Cancer Services Staff
The Forum gave attendees the opportunity to learn from other LHDs and share common challenges. Attendees acknowledged that collaboration between teams is important to continue shared learnings, share varying culturally responsive care expertise and model ways of working. It was noted a follow-on session on how to tackle challenges, display leadership, and adopt a state-wide collaborative approach to find solutions and produce resources.
“Good working relationship with multicultural health units at Local Health Districts are important. This will help employees feel comfortable to reach out for knowledge and resource sharing.”
LHD Cancer Services Staff
Generation of new potential opportunities were actively encouraged during two workshops on the day, allowing attendees to reflect on the presented initiatives and resources and how these may be translated into their own cancer services. Importantly, 98% of delegates said the Forum provided opportunities to enable future partnerships.
“Rapid fire of NGOs that work in this space and the potential collaborations e.g. showcase existing collaborations/partnerships that are [benefiting] the communities.”
Cancer Institute NSW
The cross-learning and engagement of the Forum lead to two LHDs using the information shared to successfully acquire grants for their local programs as well as interest local multicultural forums. Hunter New England LHD and the Primary Health Network (PHN) held a Multicultural Primary Care Cancer Forum in 2023 to connect, engage and discuss pathways to embed culturally responsive care to better health outcomes for patients from CALD backgrounds in their local primary care sector.
