Immigrants and equitable health-care delivery in rural areas.

In response to settlement patterns in Australia, most immigrant specialist services and programs have been developed in metropolitan locations and large provincial cities. However, immigrants have also settled in smaller numbers in country locations. It is of concern, therefore, to consider how responsive and equitable health-care services can be delivered in country regions when immigrants do not reach the critical mass that would warrant the development of specialist services. This paper draws on a consultation conducted in South Australia to propose a way forward in linking country health services with local immigrant communities and immigrant specialist services in cities.