A mobile health clinic being opened by St Vincent's Public Hospital means rough sleepers can get a blood test while they have a hot meal at one of Sydney's community centres.
For Peter Carroll, managing his chronic health conditions is hard enough, but being homeless as well can make the barriers feel insurmountable.He is on a waitlist for emergency housing so he can receive a hip replacement.A new hospital-on-wheels is expected to be a game changer for Mr Carroll and many others sleeping rough on Sydney's streets.
St Vincent's Homeless Health Service nurse unit manager Erin Longbottom says there is a huge health disparity between the general population and people experiencing homelessness. "The first thing we're looking at with the truck is chronic diseases management — having a diabetes clinic, high-risk foot clinic, wound care, metabolic care and heart checks."
"It's a lot easier and more convenient to just get checked up here than have to go through getting to a doctor," Mr Carroll said. Mobile health vans are nothing new for Sydney. Street Side Medics and Vinnies Vax Van have been around for a number of years now.
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