By ALECIA PINNER: apinner@mmpgroup.com.au
STAFF at Monash Health are fighting changes to the Dandenong and
Springvale needle-exchange program which they fear could eliminate their
jobs.
The Foster Street needle exchange dispenses 42,400 needles a
month, the delivery service sends out 12,500 needles a month and the
Springvale foot patrol distributes up to five needles a day.
Reports surfaced last week that the program faced closure – but
Monash Health’s director of community access and partnerships, George
Osman, told the Journal this was not true.
“The Foster Street needle exchange is not closing; it is moving to a new building … near the station,” he said.
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Mr Osman, who runs the drug and alcohol program, said all 54 Monash Health sites would soon include needle exchanges.
The Foster Street needle exchange and clinic were moving to a
bigger centre where more services could be rolled out, including wound,
liver and vein clinics and breakfasts for the homeless.
Mr Osman said the delivery service would be extended. Springvale
foot patrols would be axed, but the program would instead run from
Springvale Community Centre over extended hours and with more qualified
staff.
“This is not a cost-saving initiative,” Mr Osman said. “We want experienced clinicians to engage clients.”
Health Services Union secretary Craig McGregor said he believed
that social workers who handed out and picked up discarded needles would
be replaced by nurses.
There was concern that a medical model of care would discourage
people who need clean equipment and referrals to other agencies, such as
housing.
“The foot patrol will not be cleaning up used syringes, which will
cause an increase in hepatitis, HIV and blood-borne diseases. This is a
significant social problem,” he said.
Union representatives were aware of two needle-exchange staff who
had been made redundant and at least five others who were fighting to
keep their jobs.
A Monash Health spokeswoman said some workers had chosen to leave.
“Some people didn’t like the way it was going to go so they left
themselves,” the spokeswoman said. “Everyone affected by the change is
going to be redeployed elsewhere.’’
