00:02Inside this van are stethoscopes, vaccinations, medications and needles for blood tests.
00:09Streetside Medics is a free mobile GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness.
00:14Once a week we set up clinic on the side of the road and they'll come to us.
00:18We will attend to any medical need. We'll take their blood, send them for investigations,
00:24refer them as required, give them medication, give them support.
00:27It's the first of its kind in Canberra, joining 15 clinics across New South Wales and Victoria,
00:34filling a gap in homelessness support.
00:37A lot of our existing support services are really at saturation point.
00:40And I think just in terms of the wellbeing of the community, this is a silent population.
00:47No judgement, no questions asked. If you come to us and you need to support your healthcare needs,
00:52then we're able to do that.
00:53Bulk billing rates in the ACT remain the lowest in the country.
00:58And many homeless people do not have a Medicare card.
01:01That is a barrier to people accessing healthcare.
01:04But also people experience stigma, they may have financial pressures that make it difficult to pay for the gap.
01:14On top of providing medical support, the service also helps with loneliness.
01:19A lot of our patients really will come and visit and maybe just talk to our support members
01:24and want to have a chat and look for human connection really.
01:28Tackling one of many barriers facing those experiencing homelessness.
01:32Thank you very much, very much.
01:38Luke Craig
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