By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
SPRINGVALE Monash Legal Service has won a $100,000-plus state funding boost over two years to help chronic illness patients and victims of family violence.
The funding will support an outreach lawyer in Monash Health hospitals and health centres, as well as training health workers to recognise legal problems.
The legal service said people who had on-going health issues often suffered from problems with debt, employment disputes and family violence.
“Research has shown that patients often disclose legal issues to health workers before other services.
“This is often the case in circumstances of sexual assault and family violence.”
The service stated there was a large unmet need for timely legal help for such patients.
The service also received a state grant for more magistrates’ court family violence services and duty lawyers.
Attorney-General and Keysborough MP Martin Pakula said community legal services provided essential services to disadvantaged and vulnerable Victorians.
