The Federal Government is supporting people across the Central Coast who experience homelessness with $945,000 in funding for the Health on the Streets (HoTS) program.
HoTS is a mobile health clinic for people experiencing homelessness, taking healthcare and support services to people who sleep rough.
Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said HoTS have been vital in providing medical health services to some of the most vulnerable in our community.
“This is the only service on the Central Coast to take medical health services directly to the people who need them most.
“HoTS has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the team detecting five active COVID-19 cases in our community and administering vaccinations to over 33 clients.
“This is what impresses me most about this program and why I fought so hard to get the funding needed for this wonderful service.
“The program works to ensure that when it comes to vital healthcare across the Central Coast, no one misses out,” Wicks said.
In the last 12 months, the HoTS team has had over 1,300 clinical interventions, helped to link over 100 people to ongoing GP-led care, and conducted around 900 referrals to other health services.
In that time period HoTS outreach workers have assisted 30 people to be permanently housed, with an additional 33 people assisted to attain various temporary accommodation options.
Representative from Coast and Country Primary Care (CCPC) said CCPC is extremely appreciative of the support for the HoTS team from Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks.
CPCC CEO, Kathy Beverly, said “the HoTS team is an extraordinary team with a passion and commitment for helping some of the Central Coast’s most vulnerable people in their times of critical need.
“We also have a fantastic partnership with our hubs including Coast Shelter [Gosford] and Mary Mac’s Place [Woy Woy] who we work with to ensure we can provide access to services for as many people as possible,” Beverly said.
HoTS also does an assertive outreach with the Uniting Doorways Connector’s Response Team, offering practical support and advice to clients who are sleeping rough.
The aim is to link clients to services who can assist them in finding suitable, affordable and sustainable accommodation and when required, provide ongoing case work and case management to ensure that accommodation provided is sustainable.
The HoTS team of registered nurses provides comprehensive health assessment including Primary Health, Public and Sexual Health, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol services.
Operations Manager of Coast Shelter, Mark Trevaskis, said “working in partnership with HoTS and other essential services is critical to providing quality supports to members of our community.
“Indeed, if we’re not working in unison, people fall through the gaps, and the outcomes for the individual and our community can be devastating,” Trevaskis said.
Source:
Media release, Nov 12
Member for Robertson,
Lucy Wicks