Refugee families are being offered tours of the Royal Children’s Hospital to introduce them to the hospital’s services and layout.

The Special Settlement Tours, part of the AMES Settlement Orientation Program, began this week with several family groups visiting the RCH.

The RCH’s Family Services Department and the AMES Orientation team are collaborating to offer the tour and the first group was welcomed this week by the RCH’s Family Services Director, Helen Rowan.

Accompanied by community guides and Settlement Information Officers, the group included refugees from Burma and Iraq who learned more about our health system and the facilities available to them.

AMES Settlement Orientation Coordinator Hameed Nida said: “Our clients found it so helpful to visit the Emergency area, see the clinics and also know more about the family support unit”.

“It’s helped them feel more confident and has reassured them as they start their new lives in Melbourne,” she said.

Tours are planned for the first Thursday of every month, based on the availability of relevant clients.

For more information, please contact Hameed Nida on nidah@ames.net.au