AMA forum: The health care of asylum seekers and harms caused by detention

Nurse Alanna Maycock will speak at an AMA forum on Sunday 21 February on the harm caused by Immigration detention, especially to children.

The AMA states: Being locked up indefinitely in isolated detention is a form of abuse. It is wrong to leave people seeking asylum in indefinite detention facilities that lack proper health care, where they are exposed to physical, sexual, and emotional trauma.

The current Government’s policy, supported by the Federal Opposition, poses significant risks to the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers, especially children. As an organisation representing medical practitioners, we are compelled to advocate for an urgent change in policy.

All  asylum  seekers  and  refugees,  independent  of  their  citizenship  or  visa  status,  should  have universal access to basic health care.  This is clearly not happening.

All children being held in immigration detention facilities should be immediately released to a safe environment.  This is a matter of human decency and human rights.  Regardless of the High Court decision, there is absolutely no reason why children should continue to be held in detention facilities.

Children  in  detention  are  being  harmed.  Detention  has  long-term  consequences  on  their psychological, physical, and emotional health.  This is morally and ethically unacceptable.  Infants and children must be removed from immigration detention.

AMA President, Professor Brian Owler asks you to join us in publicly advocating for this change. Alongside Professor Owler, other invited speakers at the forum include:

  • Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM Professor  in  Paediatrics  and  Child  Health,  University  of  Sydney,  Consultant Paediatrician Children’s Hospital at Westmead
  • Professor David Isaacs Clinical Professor, Paediatrics and Child Health, Children’s Hospital at Westmead
  • A/Professor Karen Zwi Conjoint Associate Professor, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW
  • Ms Alanna Maycock Paediatric Nurse, Children’s Hospital at Westmead

Date: Sunday, 21st February 2016

Venue: Ionic Room, SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney

Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

RSVP: By COB Thursday, 18th February 2016 to am******@am*.au

Join over 80,000 nurses, midwives and carers in NSW by becoming a valued member today.

You’ll automatically become a member of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation