Caring for vulnerable Australians with Street Side Medics

Meet Street Side Medics

People who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness may have limited access to healthcare. Street Side Medics tackle the issue by providing qualified healthcare to those in need.

We interviewed them to learn more:

Q: Tell us about your organisation

A: We are a not-for-profit, GP-led mobile medical service. Our vision is to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes for people who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness.

We collaborate with pre-existing charities, shelters and other services to provide primary healthcare specifically for this cohort.

Currently operating from several sites across Sydney and Melbourne on a weekly basis, each clinic is staffed by skilled volunteers who work from a well-equipped mobile medical van, providing primary health care services to the same standard as a regular GP clinic.

Q: What is your mission?

A: Our mission is to ensure that all individuals requiring healthcare can access it easily, with dignity and respect.

Q: Where are your clinics?

A: We have clinics in Manly, Woolloomooloo, Surry Hills, Brookvale, Marrickville, Hornsby, Wollongong, Blacktown and Parramatta in NSW, and a new clinic on Bourke Street in Melbourne.

Q: What are some of the challenges you’ve been able to overcome?

A: We’re a relatively new organisation and we’ve had to create all of our processes from scratch – that’s a challenge in itself. Add to that rats, rubbish and limited light where we operate from each evening. We’ve had to overcome quite a bit!

Although we have many willing volunteers on our waitlist, we will probably never have enough volunteer GPs as they are essential for our operations, so recruitment of GPs will be a constant challenge.

Q: How do you involve volunteers?

A: All of our clinics are run by volunteers – including team leaders, drivers, junior doctors, GPs, allied health professionals, nurses and general volunteers.

The only paid role we have on site at some of our clinics is a Local Health District funded Community nurse, who ensures follow up and continuity each week.

Q: How do volunteers help you to make a difference?

A: Our volunteers are providing healthcare and creating health pathways for a population that generally does not prioritise their health, and therefore ends up in emergency or worse. Our volunteers, in simple terms, are saving lives.

Q: What would you say to someone considering volunteering with your organisation?

A: If you are a medical professional and want to use your skills to give back to people in the community who often can’t access traditional healthcare, join us!

Each clinic presents numerous opportunities for you to use your knowledge and skills to change someone’s life.

Learn more about Street Side Medics

Membership

The Centre is proud to support organisations like Street Side Medics, doing important work in the community.

If you are responsible for volunteers, it’s essential to consult with your peak body to ensure that you are supporting them and making sure they have the best experience possible. – Street Side Medics