Health on the Streets (HoTS) will continue operating after the Albanese Labor Government secured $400,000 to keep the program running past its June 30 deadline.

Member for Dobell and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Emma McBride MP has welcomed the funding announcement.

“As the Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, I’m proud to support vital services like Health on the Streets.

“HoTs provides care to some of the most vulnerable people on the Central Coast, including those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.

“Working together with the Member for Robertson, we have secured further funding for HoTs to make sure people on the Coast have access to the care they need, when they need it.”

Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP has also welcomed this announcement and criticised the former Morrison Liberal Government for politicising funding for homelessness health services.

“I welcome the news that the Albanese Labor Government will provide funding to allow HoTS to continue operating for the next 12 months”. Dr Reid said.

“Despite the previous Liberal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wick’s promise of further funding for this project, it has been made unquestionably clear that there was no further funding actually budgeted to this program by the former Morrison Government – there was absolutely no intention of following through with this commitment.” Dr. Reid said. 

“I am working every day to rebuild the community’s trust in their political representation, trust that was broken by the previous government. This is why I have fought every day for HoTS – our community deserves promises that are kept and delivered.” Dr. Reid said. 

“I have been working each day since my election to ensure that HoTS can continue past June 30. I have been closely working with the new Health Minister and Emma McBride to try and find available funding to keep this vital health service operating on the Central Coast”. Dr Reid said.

“It’s phenomenal news and a great outcome that the Health Minister has been able to find the funding which provides a lifeline to HoTS and will mean they can continue providing primary healthcare to people who are homeless and struggling to access healthcare”. Dr Reid said

“I will continue to work with the Health Minister and Coast and Country Primary Care to investigate funding sources to ensure the program is sustainable into the future”. Dr Reid said.

HoTS is run through Coast and Country Primary Care and provides a mobile health clinic for people experiencing homelessness. The service travels around the Central Coast and ensures people who cannot access healthcare due to obstacles like lack of identification or transport barriers can receive the healthcare they need. It is staffed by healthcare professionals and outreach workers who can assist with a range of other social services.

ENDS