New health care at Lazarus helps those struggling

LAZARUS Community Centre Geelong has expanded its support services, and now offers health care to those doing it tough.

The Myers Street centre now has a doctor on site every Wednesday and a nurse every Friday, helping people facing homelessness and social isolation within the community.

Lazarus Community Centre manager Michael Kenneady said the added health care support will assist with simple conditions that can often cause irritation or hold people back.

“The irritability can kick in and because they may not be aware of the things that they have. Throw in the mental stuff too, and lot of them might not be aware of their health conditions.

“At least with the doctor and registered nurses, they can follow up and get them back on track to a healthier status. It would actually help with their capacity to get better supports as well in the future.”

The care provided by the doctor and the nurse covers an individual’s basic health needs, including wound and infection care and prescriptions.

The small team also have the option of referring people to the Myers Street clinic in more serious circumstances, interlinking with other services to help meet different needs.

Providing basic healthcare through the centre, Mr Kenneady said, helps keep people more engaged than if they were to go to a traditional GP or hospital emergency department.

“If they needed wound care, they’re not going to sit in ED for 10 to 15 hours. They can get seen and patched up here within that time — they’re not going to wait around.

“They believe the system is broken on the outside world. For us, they have that bond with Lazarus itself, but also that caring, supportive, compassionate nature.

“They know that when we try to put something in here, it’s here for the right reasons and we want to try to help really support them to get back on track.”

Mr Kenneady encourages anyone with a skill set or background in any relevant fields, including psychology, podiatry or osteopathy, to reach out.