IMC Intercultural Mediation Course for refugees and those with leave to remain

Intercultural Mediators who work in the health sector are trained mediators who work in hospitals and health related services. They work directly with patients from different cultural backgrounds to ensure that they receive equal healthcare services. Intercultural Mediators also work directly with healthcare professionals to increase their understanding of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds and cultural impact on patient care and recovery.

The IMC (Intercultural Mediation Course) will provide 200 hours of specialist training to up to 15 refugees or persons with humanitarian leave to remain status in Ireland.  Training will be followed by a work placement with a healthcare service provider or relevant front-line service. A conference and report will highlight the findings of this feasibility project in terms of establishing a working model for the ongoing use of intercultural mediators among healthcare service providers, the HSE and ethnic minority populations.

Intercultural Mediators: The GRSG IMC will provide 200 hours of specialist training to up to 15 refugees or persons with humanitarian leave to remain status in Ireland. Training will be followed by a work placement with a healthcare service provider.

A conference and report will highlight the findings of this feasibility project in terms of establishing a working model for the ongoing use of intercultural mediators among healthcare service providers, the HSE and ethnic minority populations.

The ICM will be rolled out as follows:

a. 56 sessions of intercultural mediation training are planned in association with Access Ireland, HSE and other health care service providers and minority ethnic-led organisations (July - October 2009)
b. Sessions and workshops with service providers creating oppertunities for dialogue, minority representations and policy impact  (August - October 2009)
c. Work placements for the newly trained Intercultural Mediators within Galway County healthcare system (Oct - Nov 2009)
d. Intercultural Mediators newsletter
e. Conference and publication of report on findings of project