A multidisciplinary team in Western Sydney Local Health District is working to combat seasonal influenza and COVID-19.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, a multidisciplinary team is working tirelessly to help one of the country’s most vulnerable populations: homeless people.
Our goal is to immunise at least 80% of the homeless population in Western Sydney and to conduct COVID-19 testing on 95% of people who are eligible.
This team, based in Youth Health Services of the Western Sydney Local Health District, is immunising homeless people in Western Sydney against seasonal influenza – and conducting outreach COVID-19 testing.
Among them is Associate Professor Melissa Kang, from the School of Public Health.
Associate Professor Kang, a medical practitioner, developed the protocol for the team, consulting with the Public Health Unit as well as with government and non-government partners.
She says that the team is on track to meeting its goals.
“Our goal is to immunise at least 80% of the homeless population in Western Sydney and to conduct COVID-19 testing on 95% of people who are eligible.”
“We’re currently on track to achieving this.”
Dubbed ‘Streetfighters’ by local media, the working group are providing healthcare services to those who otherwise may not have access.
Nurses are leading the frontline service delivery at two principal centres, and there are plans for expansion.
“There are more outreach clinics planned, and we have already established a COVID-19 testing facility in one of the Youth Health Services,” Associate Professor Kang says.
“We want to reach as many vulnerable community members as we can,” Associate Professor Kang says.