St Vincent’s mission to care for the poor and marginalised guides its Homeless Health work today. Located in inner Sydney, St Vincent’s Hospital provides a range of services for people experiencing homelessness, who often struggle to access healthcare or support. These services are essential in meeting their complex health and social needs.
Key services include:
Homeless Outreach – The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) at Homeless Health Service coordinates intake and referrals and delivers care through outreach clinics, hubs and street patrols across the inner city, including the Sister Clare Richardson Mobile Clinic.
The After Hours Outreach Team, funded by Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, extends this support beyond standard hours to improve access to care when services are limited. Together, these teams provide flexible, person-centred healthcare and support, bringing care to where people are.
Working with partner agencies, they support people to access accommodation and ongoing care through a multidisciplinary team including GPs, nurses, mental health clinicians, psychiatrists, peer workers, Aboriginal Health Workers, and an oral health educator.
Tierney House – A short-term residential unit at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Tierney House provides a safe place for people experiencing homelessness to recover after a hospital stay.
Since opening in September 2012, it has supported 2,942 residents. During their stay, doctors treat and stabilise long-term conditions like heart disease, diabetes and mental illness. Once their urgent needs are met, residents are linked to ongoing care through GPs and community clinics.
The service works in partnership with NGOs, GPs, housing and support providers to assist with complex needs and longer-term health and wellbeing. Designed for people who may not usually use mainstream health services, it focuses on building trust and supporting people to take part in their own care and recovery planning. One former resident shared:
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of St Vincent’s. When I had nowhere to call home, they helped me find a safe place to stay and supported me with medical care to get me back on my feet, even helping me get ID so I could find work again. I’m forever grateful.”
Ongoing funding is essential to sustain these vital services and provide 24/7 care to people in need. Your support helps deliver essential healthcare to those who would otherwise go without.