BCH are collaborating in two pilot programs to deliver healthcare to diverse communities launched by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN).
The Homelessness Access Program (HAP) an initiative between Ballarat Community Health and Uniting Vic.Tas, aimed at supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, launched in August 2024. The program offers access to a nurse at no cost to assist with health and wellbeing needs. Services include health checks, vaccinations, support with appointments, and assistance in accessing other services. The Health Clinic operates on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am to 11:30 am at the Uniting Drop-in Centre, 101 Albert Street, Ballarat.
The City of Ballarat has one of the highest rates by population of homelessness in western Victoria. Public Health Information Development Unit data in 2021 showed more than 630 people were sleeping rough in the municipality. BCH will provide support to those experiencing homelessness through disciplines such as access to podiatry services, mental health support lead by a peer workforce model, and to have access to a nurse to discuss and provide services for various health and wellbeing needs.
Visit Homelessness Access Program to download the Nurse Led Health Clinic Flyer
Pictured left to right: Suzanne Ryan-Evers (BRMC CEO), Sean Duffy (BCH CEO), Azra Alavi and Craig Wilding (WVPHN CEO) at the launch of the service at BRMC’s Welcome Centre. Azra spoke about being a new migrant and how the service would be of benefit to people from multicultural backgrounds.
A second new service aimed at providing healthcare asistance to people from diverse cultural backgrounds is being trialled from November 2024, the Multicultural Access Program (MAP) in partnership with the Ballarat Regional Multicultural (BRMC), with BCH nursing and case management staff leading the program with support from bicultural workers employed by BRMC.
WVPHN Chief Executive Officer, Craig Wilding, said that the Multicultural Access Program is being established in Ballarat due to it having one of the highest percentages of people from non-English speaking backgrounds settling in western Victoria. “Healthcare accessibility is a big Issue for people from non-English speaking backgrounds, often they can face obstacles when seeking healthcare, whether it be language barriers, unfamiliarity with our health system, or cultural or financial barriers. We wanted to create a culturally appropriate and easily accessible service that addresses these barriers” said Mr Wilding.
The nurse-led clinic at the Welcome Centre will deliver both prevention and early intervention activities, such as health assessments, care planning and referrals to other healthcare professionals. Consumers with complex needs will be identified and, where needed, be assigned a case manager who will assist them in coordinating their care across health and social services.
BRMC bicultural workers will engage with Ballarat’s multicultural community to promote the service through established events and groups, and will also do health promotion and education on topics such as sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, family violence and vaccinations. Bicultural workers will also be available to assist with telehealth appointments or accompany consumers to health appointments where necessary.
Visit Multicultural Access Program to download the MAP Clinic Flyer.
