Primary care is typically where people first come into contact with the healthcare system, and it is where many healthcare decisions are made. Good communication is critical to ensuring positive outcomes for patients and their healthcare team. However, a lack of access to qualified interpreters in primary care can make it difficult for people who communicate via Auslan to discuss and make informed decisions about their health and healthcare.

To help understand and address this problem, the department has engaged AHA to:

• explore the current usage of Auslan interpreting services in primary care
• identify enablers and barriers to accessing Auslan interpreting services in primary care
• provide recommendations on how access to Auslan interpreting services could be improved
• develop resources to promote available Auslan interpreting services to primary care professionals.

The project will involve 3 complementary streams of work:

• an environmental scan to identify the characteristics, promotion, and utilisation of available Auslan interpreting services
• a review of peer-reviewed and grey literature to explore known barriers and enablers to the effective use of sign language interpreters in primary care
• consultations with Auslan services, peak bodies in the Deaf and health sectors, primary care professionals and practice managers, interpreters, and Auslan users and their family members.

We are partnering with Deaf Connect to make project information available to Auslan users and family members in both Auslan and English, and enable them to participate in their preferred language.