Capital Health Network

Directions Health Services (Directions) provides treatment and support to people impacted by alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Directions deliver primary care outreach services to vulnerable people in the community – including the homeless and those affected by drug and alcohol use, mental health and other chronic health conditions – that are safe, accessible and familiar. The needle and syringe program (NSP), Ainslie Village and Oaks Estate outreach clinics have provided a range of services, treatments and interventions including general health care, case management, sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening, counselling and advance care planning. Staff at the Civic NSP sites and the outreach clinics at Oaks Estate and Ainslie Village work hard to develop relationships with clients and increase trust in, and connection to, the mainstream healthcare system.

The integrated primary health, AOD counselling and case management services provided at Ainslie Village and Oaks Estate demonstrate the benefit of a ‘no wrong door’ approach to responding to the complex needs of clients. In 2019/20, 159 outreach clinics were delivered with a total 1,231 client presentations. In particular, January – June 2020 saw Directions’ integrated outreach services increase in activity by 65% despite the impact of the bushfires and COVID-19. As COVID-19 started to impact on ACT communities, Directions recognised the importance of the continuity of these services and the needs of such vulnerable groups and worked tirelessly to maintain these services throughout COVID-19. This provided vital support as other community services became increasingly unavailable. Adjustments to service delivery due to COVID-19 included the outreach service delivered in larger on-site spaces, where available, to allow for social distancing, with staff and clinicians utilising PPE. Importantly, Directions also provided COVID-19 testing to those vulnerable people presenting with symptoms in outreach locations.

The work of Directions demonstrates that a clinical outreach service can successfully provide essential primary healthcare for vulnerable groups whilst also working to reduce stigma in the community around drug and alcohol use and mental health issues.

Testimonials

“Patients were grateful we are still coming out and that we are doing all we can to protect ourselves and them [during COVID-19],” said Directions Health Services.

“A client was supported by Althea clinicians and staff to commence and complete Hepatitis C treatment. This client had a dual infection of both Hepatitis B and C and now having cleared the Hepatitis C can commence treatment for Hepatitis B. The client has also significantly reduced his drug use and maintained this reduced level for several months,” said Directions Health Services.

Client surveys showed they appreciated:

• ease of access
• ability to speak openly about health and substance use issues
• being treated respectfully.