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Improving Access to Primary Healthcare Among Injecting Drug Users in Redfern
Improving Access to Primary Healthcare Among Injecting Drug Users in Redfern
Sydney South West Area Health Service
A project in reorienting resources to expand the services of the needle syringe program.
Abstract
Injecting drug users (IDU) experience a number of health-related problems including those related to their injecting drug use. Access to primary healthcare is often limited for this marginalised population.
This project illustrates the processes of how a community-based needle and syringe program (NSP) improved access to primary healthcare and addressed the unmet health needs of IDUs in respect to blood borne viruses (BBV) and drug related health, by reorienting existing resources. It addresses national and international policy frameworks by improving the health of people living with and at risk of contracting BBVs.
Data shows a significant uptake of extended services since the introduction of the comprehensive model. Each service represents an intervention, which would not have occurred within the traditional NSP model, demonstrating how NSPs can play a larger role in primary healthcare delivery to IDUs.
This project was entered in the 2007 NSW Health Awards, Primary Health and Continuing Care in the Community category.
The full entry document can be downloaded in the formats listed below:
Contact
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Executive Office
Sydney South West Area Health Service
Phone: 02 9515 9339
