Helping those less fortunate this winter
As we celebrate the first day of winter, we talk with our Charity of the Year, Homeless Healthcare, and reflect on those who are not as lucky to have a roof over their head and somewhere to stay warm, dry and safe.
1 Jun 2017
1 June 2017
Homeless Healthcare Nurse Coordinator Zoe Thebaud says their organisation carries out around 14,000 consults each year and currently run six drop-in centre clinics per week, clinics in transitional accommodation and refuges as well as an after hours support clinic, seven days a week and nurse-led street health vans.
“Our drop-in clinics are run by Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and General Practitioners, who work together to provide holistic health care to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness” says Zoe.
“The drop in clinics are run by a triage system carried out by our nurses in order to ascertain the type of care needed. The nurses then organise for patients to be seen by either a Nurse Practitioner or General Practitioner.
“Everything that you would expect to see in a mainstream GP practice from wound-care and phlebotomy to ECG's and health assessments is provided in each clinic.
“We work very much in the space of providing front-line health care to those who would not easily have access to this. We are also committed to providing people experiencing homelessness with basic items that can go a long way to preventing further illness or discomfort.
“Basic, every-day items such as lip balm, chap sticks, moisturisers or insect repellent can be an important factor in helping people to maintain self-care.
“We also collect socks as part of donations, which helps improve foot care and limit the deterioration of people's feet which can have a big impact on their health.
“It is an unfortunate fact that we are getting busier each year. In a perfect world we would all be out of a job, as it would mean we have managed to tackle the impacts of homelessness."
St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital Chief Executive Officer Ms Chris Hanna says Homeless Healthcare reflects our hospital’s values of compassion, respect, justice, excellence and hospitality.
“We have already had a great response to people donating items for Homeless Healthcare.
“We will be looking at a range of ways to continue to raise awareness of Homeless Healthcare and I encourage everyone to dig deep.”
For more information, please contact Mario Bugna, Director of Mission at [email protected]
Did you know?
“Research indicates that a homeless person with a history of trench foot or warm water immersion is eight times more likely to die in the next five years compared to a person who is not homeless.” (Rotary Club of Herrison – Socks in the City appeal)