New outreach program brings healthcare to the homeless

• The Miles Government is investing $6 million across three years to establish the Homeless Health Outreach Team (HHOT) in the Moreton Bay region.
• A team of nurses, allied health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workers and psychiatrists will provide specialist mental and general health services.
• New initiative includes more than $400,000 per year for Footprints’ Recovery Wellness Program, supporting adults experiencing homelessness who live with a mental illness, and $380,000 per year for Step Up Step Out Service, focused on supporting homeless people in Deception Bay, Redcliffe, and Caboolture.

Some of south-east Queensland’s most vulnerable residents will have access to specialist mental and general health services under a new outreach program launched today.

The Miles Government’s $6 million Homeless Health Outreach Team (HHOT) will provide mental health, general health and alcohol and drug services to assist people sleeping rough in the Moreton Bay region.

A team of nurses, allied health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workers and psychiatrists will provide comprehensive assessments, care coordination and clinical interventions as part of the program.

They will also connect community treatment with key providers to offer services outside of the usual treatment facilities, including shelters, parks and public spaces, or homeless agencies.

The initiative is modelled on other successful HHOTs already operating across the state and has capacity to expand to recruit alcohol and drug specialists.

To build on this, more than $400,000 per year in additional funding will be allocated to community-based service provider Footprints to enhance delivery of its Recovery Wellness Program (RWP) delivered across North Brisbane and in the Moreton Bay area to individuals at risk of homelessness.

Additionally, the Step Up Step Out service will receive $380,000 per year focused on supporting homeless people in Deception Bay, Redcliffe and Caboolture will be fudned.

The HHOT at Moreton Bay is being funded under the Miles Government’s Better Care Together program to improve statewide mental health, alcohol and other drug services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“The Miles Government remains steadfast in its commitment to provide worldclass healthcare for all Queenslanders.

“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires an empathetic response.

“Establishing a Homeless Health Outreach Team in Moreton Bay will improve access to healthcare services for some the region’s most vulnerable members.

“The Homeless Health Outreach Team (HHOT) has a proven track record of success, with this program currently running successfully running on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, in Inner city Brisbane and Logan and Townsville.

“I look forward to the recruitment of our HHOT team in the Moreton Bay region and I know the community will greatly benefit from their services.”

ENDS

Media contact: healthmedia@ministerial.qld.gov.au