Dear Impact100 WA team,

It is all systems go at HHC as we are adjusting health practices, modifying clinics and increasing our presence all in preparation for COVID-19.

We have been working with the Department of Health on a COVID-19 response specific to people experiencing homelessness.


Our priorities at the moment are to find suitable accommodation for street homeless people and those in unsuitable shared accommodation to enable them to self-isolate as required. Andrew and the staff have been keeping in close contact with colleagues from the US and the UK and once COVID-19 gets into the homeless population it spreads very quickly.

I can now confirm that we have received the following:

Street Health – funding for this program has been increased by an injection from the Department of Health for the next 6 months to include:
· GP and Registered Nurse (up to now it has been RN’s only)
· Increase operation hours to 7 days a week, 8 hours a day
· Areas include Perth and Fremantle CBDs and surrounds
· Additional street outreach and home visits for newly housed.

Hotel – We have also received funding by the Department of Health to provide the medical services in the Hotel established for homeless people in Perth to try and prevent spread of COVID-19.

Homeless people are being triaged into 3 COVID categories
1.     COVID prevent- low risk people who need accommodation to enable them to isolate when required
2.     COVID protect- those who are older or have comorbidities that are at high risk of dying from COVID
3.     COVID care- those who are symptomatic either from COVID or awaiting result but not sick enough for hospital

The Hotel at the moment is operating at COVID protect level only.

There are currently 27 people on 1st floor, hope is to be able to use 4 floors and get the majority of homeless people off the street.

We have nurses for 16 hours a day 7 days a week supporting people and GPs doing visits.

We are also working on 30 bed COVID care facility.

To receive funding to operate the above services is fantastic, and all approved by government at lightning speed!

What we were hoping to get funding for (although there is talk of federal funding) but haven’t received as yet is:
· A peer support person to operate on the Street to Home service.
· A dual diagnosis service to operate at the Hotel (so psychiatric services to work in with the GP)

As you can imagine our staffing resources are being stretched and we are quickly having to employ more medical staff. But we are working quickly to upscale appropriately and divert other resources to provide these additional services

We hope everyone at Impact100 WA are going well and we appreciate you checking in.

Kind regards.

Alison Sayer, Corporate Services Manager

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://homelesshealthcare.org.au