A New Approach to Healthcare Access for Melbourne’s Homeless Community

In Melbourne, a city known for its vibrancy and growth, thousands of people face a different reality. According to the Council to Homeless Persons, over 24,000 people experience homelessness in Victoria each night, and many struggle to access basic healthcare services. A lack of stable housing and support means that chronic illnesses go untreated, mental health issues are often unmanaged, and preventable conditions can escalate into emergency situations. Addressing these issues is not only urgent but critical to Melbourne’s public health landscape.

The Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model has been introduced to bridge this healthcare gap, leveraging digital technology and local, in-person support to reach people without requiring them to visit traditional clinics. This approach aims to deliver consistent, accessible, and holistic healthcare services to Melbourne’s homeless population.

What is the Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model?
The Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model combines digital telehealth technology with on-the-ground support from community organisations. This dual approach offers flexible, immediate access to healthcare services, allowing clients to connect with a general practitioner (GP) from the security of a community-based location, such as one of the many Homeless Relief Services. This model aligns with findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which has noted that increasing accessibility to preventative health services can significantly reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions among people experiencing homelessness.

Why This Model Matters: The Health Access Gap in Melbourne
For those experiencing homelessness, healthcare is often out of reach. Data from the Victorian Department of Health indicates that nearly 45% of people experiencing homelessness report barriers to accessing necessary health services. The Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model is designed to address these obstacles directly by enabling clients to access healthcare from familiar and supportive settings, such as HRS locations. Here, trained staff can assist clients in booking appointments and navigating digital tools, making healthcare more approachable and breaking down logistical and psychological barriers.

How the Model Works: A Flexible, Local Approach to Healthcare
This model functions through a streamlined, supportive system designed to meet people where they are. Here’s how it works in practice:

1. Booking and Support: Staff at the various Homeless Relief Services (HRS) locations guide clients in booking their telehealth appointment. This assistance is proving to be critical, as research from Launch Housing has shown that familiarity and support from trusted personnel increase the likelihood that clients will attend and complete medical appointments.
2. Telehealth Consultation: Clients then consult with a GP via telehealth from within the HRS setting, ensuring privacy and minimising the need for travel. The GP can provide assessments, follow-ups, and mental health support, addressing urgent needs in real-time and provide eScripts where required.

The Evidence: Positive Outcomes and Feedback
Early data from similar telehealth models in Melbourne suggests a significant positive impact. The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s study on telehealth in homeless populations found that clients who received consistent, accessible telehealth services reported a 30% reduction in emergency department visits over six months. Additionally, those with complex health issues who accessed telehealth services through community support reported increased medication adherence and improved health outcomes.

Feedback from both clients and staff at Vincent Care's Ozanam House reflects similar success. One client shared, “Having access to a doctor without needing to leave the place I feel safe has changed everything. I finally feel like my health is being looked after.”

The Road Ahead: 
The next step is expanding the Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model across Melbourne, reaching more people in need. Over the coming months, the goal is to partner with Homeless Relief Services. By engaging these partners, the program can continue to refine and adapt, gathering data to shape best practices in hybrid telehealth for homeless populations.

A Healthier, More Inclusive Melbourne
The Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model is creating real change in how healthcare is delivered to Melbourne’s homeless community. By leveraging technology and community support, it is possible to bring healthcare closer to the people who need it most, breaking down barriers that have long kept them underserved. This model is not just about providing services but about creating an inclusive approach to healthcare that acknowledges and meets the unique needs of Melbourne’s homeless population.

About the Author
Brett is a project manager and healthcare advocate with a focus on improving access to essential services for Melbourne’s most vulnerable populations. With experience in community health initiatives, Brett currently leads the Mobile GP Hybrid Telehealth Model, an innovative program that brings accessible healthcare to people experiencing homelessness. Through a mix of telehealth and in-person support, Brett works closely with local Homeless Relief Services to bridge healthcare gaps and ensure continuity of care. Committed to fostering a more inclusive healthcare system, Brett believes in creating lasting partnerships and practical solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives.