Clinic Manager Petro Liebenberg said that when the opportunity popped up, she saw it as a way to give back to the community.
“We applied for the grant because we want to be more involved with the community in Shepparton,” she said.
“When I started here, I didn’t realise Shepparton had a big homeless population.
“We want to give people who are transitioning between homes and homelessness, or are homeless, a safe place where they can get proper health care.”
The program will operate the same as a GP clinic, offering assessments, wound care, prescription services, and more.
Best of all: it’s completely free, with bulk-billing available as an option for those with Medicare.
Another important aspect of the program is support for those suffering domestic violence, as domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia.
The staff have ordered in pamphlets with details on where to get support, as well as information booklets for patients to read and take.
Ms Liebenberg said that doctors will be able to provide support for patients in suspected domestic violence situations, referring them to appropriate services.
“If a doctor suspects domestic violence, they can help them find help,” she said.
Referrals extend to other matters as well, such as mental health services or specialists.
“If patients need any other care, we can refer them to relevant specialists or health care professionals,” she said.
The program will run from the Salvation Army Shepparton Corps and Community centre on 99 Nixon St, making it close to other essential community services.
The decision to have the clinic off-site was important to Ms Liebenberg, who recognises the stigma homeless people often grapple with.
“We know that sometimes people can feel very vulnerable, so we organised a room there because we knew people would feel safe,” she said.
The community centre opens the same hours as the clinic (with the addition of Mondays and Tuesdays), as a safe space where people can drop in to relax, socialise over a board game or a cup of something warm, and get connected with community services.
The Homelessness Health Access Program will operate every Thursday, from 10am to 2pm, following its official opening to the public on September 12.
To access the service, all patients have to do is walk in during the open hours and answer a few questions to be added in to the system.
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