Street Side Medics, the not-for-profit, GP-led mobile medical service dedicated to people experiencing homelessness, was launched in Victoria this month by Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at the LSH Auto retail facility on Kings Way.
Well-known Mercedes-Benz distributor LSH Auto Australia, who has provided vans for Street Side Medics since the charity launched in 2020, has committed to a fourth van for the expanding service.
With the charity’s first move into a state outside of New South Wales, Street Side Medics is providing free primary healthcare to vulnerable Australians via fully equipped and customised mobile medical units which, on a weekly basis, visit areas with demographically high concentrations of homelessness.
The brainchild of 2022 Young Australian of the Year, Dr Daniel Nour, Street Side Medics has supported thousands of vulnerable Australians to-date.
High-profile political and community leaders joined the Prime Minister, Street Side Medics Founder Dr Daniel Nour, LSH Auto Australia Managing Director John Good, and the wider Street Side Medics team of volunteers, supporters, board members and others to mark Street Side Medics’ official launch into Victoria
The unique service – which has a no-turn-away policy and currently treats a growing average of 126 patients per week in New South Wales alone – operates in partnership with existing food services, shelters and other homelessness-focussed service providers to ease the health care burden faced by homeless communities.
“The arrival of Street Side Medics in Melbourne represents a fresh chapter in a great Australian story – a story that begins with a great Australian and former Young Australian of the Year, Dr Daniel Nour and his vision of ensuring that people who are experiencing homelessness don’t fall through the cracks and miss out on the healthcare they need,” Mr Albanese said.
“A world of difference is made possible by the energy, compassion and selflessness of the army of Street Side Medics volunteers.”
Dr Nour thanked LSH Auto as the organisation extends its services to Victoria, also highlighting plans for further expansion into other states and territories
“Thanks in large part to government support and that of corporate partners, such as LSH Auto, who contribute financially and in other ways, Street Side Medics can now reach homeless communities across two states, with plans for further national expansion,” Dr Nour said.
“Today, Street Side Medics has multiple mobile medical units, each run by an RACGP accredited General Practitioner, and more than 600 trained volunteers. I wish I could say this amazing team and resources are sufficient, but the reality is that they simply are not.
“We are calling for Victorian doctors, nurses, physios and other medical volunteers to help extend our essential work across Victoria and indeed the nation.”
LSH Auto’s John Good welcomed Street Side Medics to Melbourne and pledged ongoing support as the service looks to further expand.
“It is great that we at LSH Auto Australia can help bring this much-needed service to our great city,” Mr Good said.
“Like any great city there are, sadly, those who don’t do as well as most and some who fall between the cracks. Daniel saw that some years ago and refused to walk by. When we learned of what he was doing we could not wait to come on board.
“Our partnership has grown to the donation of three vans, with a fourth now pledged, and is central to our objective of being a contributing and valued member of the communities in which we operate. We are extremely proud of being part of delivering such a valuable service to the less fortunate and we will continue to do so.”
Street Side Medics will operate from 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne – outside of The Salvation Army’s ‘Melbourne Project 614’ site, every Thursday night from 5.30pm – 7.30pm. The SSM team will operate alongside The Salvation Army’s evening Twilight Café service, which serves 500 free meals daily to its patrons, many experiencing homelessness within the Melbourne CBD.
