Dr. Fiona O'Reilly:

Interpreting, which also came up frequently with the other groups, is a big issue. People do not have access to healthcare if they cannot talk to their doctors. GPs in this country do not have access to interpreters. Many of our patients could access mainstream healthcare if those working in it could communicate with their patients. Interpreting needs to be mandatory in the legislation where people require healthcare. I am sure Dr. Skuce will give us some examples regarding the need for that.

The other major legislative issue is medical cards. Saying that people have access and are entitled to a medical card, as asylum seekers are, means nothing if they cannot get a doctor first. They have to get a doctor to take them on before they can apply for a medical card, which means they cannot get their teeth done or anything done with their eyes. We know that general practice is busy and practices are full. The GP whose practice is full is the gatekeeper to all health services for people who are supposedly entitled, but it is not an entitlement. I will ask Dr. Skuce to address the interpreting issue.