CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse)

Evidence  

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11808475/ 

Suza Trajkovski, Mahmoud A. Al-Dabbas, Shanti Raman, Nicolette Giannoutsos, Margaret Langman, Virginia Schmied  

The experience of NICU admission and separation is potentially more difficult for immigrant and minority parents for whom the health system is foreign. In some instances, limited proficiency in the local language may hamper their ability to communicate with healthcare professionals, understand their infant's condition and their opportunity to be involved in their infant's care or treatment. Family-centred care (FCC) is a model of care that requires developing respectful and mutually beneficial partnerships between healthcare professionals, patients, and families in planning, delivering, and evaluating healthcare. 

Education 

When your baby is born early or sick and needs care in the Neonatal unit, it can be a scary and stressful time. For families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), it may also feel confusing or lonely especially if English is not your first language or if your family is far away and you don’t have additional help. 

Hospitals in Australia care for families from many cultures and countries. You have the right to feel safe, respected and included while your baby is in hospital. 

Here are some things that may help: 

Language help: You can ask for an interpreter to help you understand the doctors and nurses. This is your right and the service is free and helps make sure you understand what is happening with your baby’s care. 

Cultural support: Let the hospital team know about any cultural and religious needs you have — like important traditions, prayers, or ways of caring for your baby. 

Customs: You can also talk to staff about special items you may want for comfort, like clothes, books, or items from your culture. You can also bring these with you from home. 

Your voice matters: Even if English is not your first language, you are your baby’s voice and most important advocate. You can ask questions, say what you think and feel and ask for extra help. 

Hospitals want to work together with families, so it’s okay to speak up and share what matters most to you. 

Empowerment 

Having a baby in hospital is hard and even harder when you are far from your home, country, or loved ones. But you are not alone. Many other parents have felt the same way regardless of their cultural or religious background. 

You are strong. You are doing your best in a new place, with new people, and a sick or early baby to care for. That takes courage and love. 

Here are some ways to care for yourself: 

• Ask for an interpreter whenever you need help understanding or talking to staff. 

• Tell the hospital what helps you feel safe and connected to your culture. 

• Bring photos or comfort items from home to keep near your baby. 

• If you feel worried or overwhelmed, ask to speak with a social worker or hospital support person. You can also ask for someone from your community whom you trust and feel supported by.  

• Connect with community groups or services for CALD and migrant families. 

You deserve to be included in every part of your baby’s care. Your culture and background are important, and they are welcome in the hospital space. You are your baby’s safe place — and you belong here. 

Useful Links 

National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) 

https://neda.org.au/ 

NEDA advocates for the rights and interests of people with disability from CALD backgrounds. NEDA also supports the families and carers of these people. 

Services Australia – Information in your language 

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/information-your-language 

This Australian Government Department provides information about its payments and services in a range of languages. The website has multilingual publications and information about the interpreting and translating services. The Centrelink Multilingual Call telephone number is 131 202. 

Multicultural Health Communication 

https://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/publications/8075?collectionfilter=1 

Having a baby – A guide to pregnancy and childbirth provides a very comprehensive books cover health, pregnancy, labour, pain relief and the first few weeks of having the baby.  

Languages include: Arabic; Chinese (traditional); Khmer; Korean; Vietnamese. 

The Royal Women’s Hospital Victoria 

https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/fact-sheets 

Women’s Health including: Contraception, Having a Baby, Breastfeeding, General Health Information, A-Z fact sheets on a wide variety of topics.  

Languages include: Amharic; Arabic; Assyrian; Burmese; Chinese; Croatian; Greek; Hindi; Italian; Khmer; Macedonian; Serbian; Somali; Spanish; Tigrinya; Turkish; Vietnamese. 

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)  

https://www.panda.org.au/get-support/support-in-languages-other-than-english 

Fact sheets in other languages on anxiety and depression in pregnancy and early parenthood.  

Languages include: Arabic; Chinese; Somali; Urdu; Vietnamese