Doctors fear COVID communication barriers in Melbourne’s north

Radio segment
AM – ABC Radio with Isobel Roe

Doctors working in parts of Melbourne where hundreds of people are in forced isolation are worried that poor communication in the community and with health authorities, will result in another outbreak.

Victoria’s health department is asking for everyone in five suburbs in Melbourne’s north to get tested – even if they aren’t sick.

But local GPs say their patients are in one of the lowest socio economic brackets in the country and are scared of what isolation and illness could mean.

Our Executive Director, Dr Adele Murdolo says that these communication issues are recurring and stem from a lack the infrastructure to support migrant communities with information about health in their language.