Refugees as Survivors NZ Trust in association with Waitemata DHB
Between July 2008 and June 2009 110 registered health practitioners from around Aotearoa New Zealand completed the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) National Pilot training.
Participants represented diverse fields of medicine, including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and health education. Training was delivered in the four cities, and participants travelled from other cities to attend, such as Wellington and Nelson.
CALD training course dates delivered:
- Auckland A: 5, 12, 19 and 26 August 2008. Follow-up and consult: 7 October 2008
- Auckland B: 8, 15, 21, and 28 October 2008. Follow-up and consult: 18 November 2008
- Hamilton: 24 September, 1, 7 and 14 October 2008. Follow-up and consult: 7 October 2008
- Palmerston North: 15, 22, 28 October 2008 and 5 November 2008. Follow-up and consult: 18 November 2008
- Christchurch: February through March, 2009. Clinical consultations: April, 2009
The CALD Resource Kit and CD, the six training modules and manuals, and the references and supporting materials have all been updated. Curricula, resources and materials of an international standard have been developed, applied in the field, tested, revised and refined from participant and reviewer feedback.
The innovative technology of remote follow-up clinical consultations to reinforce and make the training real and practical was successfully implemented. The CALD course has now been accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for health professionals. Additional NZQA accreditation for each module is advanced and will be completed by September 2009.
Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) has been contacted by other government departments, District Health Boards (DHBs) and Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), seeking CALD training for staff and contractors. The first tangible and immediate result of this has been the secondment of Peter Shaw from the Ministry of Education for the purpose of adapting the CALD training to the education sector, particularly in early childhood development and problems at school. This project will be complete with implementation underway in 2010.
Waitemata DHB is delivering CALD training to all primary, secondary and mental health professionals working at the DHB since March 2009.
An important and significant outcome of this WINGS-funded pilot, is the development of an e-learning programme in collaboration with the University of Auckland Medical School’s Goodfellow Unit. When complete, CALD training will be available to medical students, general practitioners and nurses. The e-learning programme is based on the tested CALD curriculum and materials. Its development makes it possible to deliver training more widely and with less expense. Completion is expected in 2010.
The essential value of post-training clinical consultations and follow-ups has been clearly demonstrated, and will remain a key part of CALD training, whether delivered by e-learning, face-to-face training, or a combination of both.
This pilot, made possible through funding from Te Pou’s Wings Innovation Fund, has assisted CALD to develop a national profile, be fully tested and further developed. CALD training has raised Cultural Competencies as a key health workforce development issue, while providing a practical and low-cost solution.
CALD training and resources are to international standards and, through this work, New Zealand has been recognised as a leader in cross-cultural responsiveness and practice. CALD resources have been purchased from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, UK, USA, Canada and Japan.
A national resource of experienced trainer, quality course content and in crucial follow-up clinical practice application has now been established. Local trainers have been identified and can be accessed by the sector.
This project has gone from strength to strength thanks to the dedication of a team of diverse, highly skilled professionals who have contributed their time and expertise all around the country. Refugees As Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) said the funding for this pilot, provided through Te Pou’s Wings Innovation fund, has led to long-needed, very direct and tangible developments in workforce development in the mental health and education sectors.
“The Te Pou Wings funding has been essential in giving the CALD project the wings it needed to develop in order to make a substantial impact on workforce capacity and development in the mental health sector.” Garry Poole, CEO RASNZ.
The impact of this training is being felt in the sector, not only by up-skilling more than 100 participants, but also through their work with clients and colleagues, and also their desire for more training and experience in this field.
Further future impact is already being demonstrated in the next phase of CALD development, which is presently underway. Through adapting the curriculum and resources to the education sector, mental health will be further advanced through co-operative work with the Ministry of Education.
In addition to this, the development of a CALD e-learning programme in a cooperative venture with The University of Auckland’s Goodfellow Centre will allow a much greater
and cost-effective reach, which will supplement, but not replace, live training.
If you are interested in finding out more about CALD training, please visit the website www.cald.org.nz.
Page last updated: 31 August 2009