A new mobile health service is visiting Bairnsdale to provide essential care for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
The Health on Wheels pilot, commissioned by Gippsland PHN and delivered by Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, is staffed by a registered nurse and homelessness outreach worker and operates five days a week across East Gippsland and Wellington, including Bairnsdale. The initiative aims to remove barriers to care and bring health services directly to people in the locations they already access.
Homelessness in Gippsland continues to increase, with rates in East Gippsland far above the national average. People experiencing homelessness often face complex health issues, including chronic illness, mental health challenges, and substance use, and frequently encounter obstacles to timely, coordinated health care.
Gippsland PHN chief executive officer, Amanda Proposch, said the pilot addresses a critical need.
“By meeting people where they are, Health on Wheels supports earlier intervention, continuity of care, and stronger connections to health and social services,” she said.
Services provided include health screening, wound care, chronic disease management, pathology collection, needle and syringe programs, digital health support, and care coordination. Gippsland Lakes Complete Health chief executive officer, Anne-Maree Kaser, said the pilot is already making a tangible difference.
“For many people, this is the first time in a long while that health care has felt accessible and safe. Our outreach team is helping people navigate both health and social challenges,” she said.
Health on Wheels complements other regional homelessness initiatives, including telehealth programs at Neighbourhood Houses, Breed Street Clinic, and Quantum Support Services, with future training for general practices planned later in the year.
