The Homeless Health Service at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, is leading a diverse portfolio of research projects focused on improving health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. Current studies address critical issues such as access to oral health care, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and patient experience across health services. Innovations include the co-design of a mobile Cooling Hub to mitigate heat-related health risks and the evaluation of the Community Re-entry Support Service (CRESS), which supports individuals transitioning from the justice system to community living. Other projects examine nursing scope of practice in homeless healthcare, emergency department vulnerability assessments, and trial the “Healthy & HomED” model to reduce hospital reattendance. All research is grounded in lived experience, with people who have experienced homelessness actively engaged in co-design and consultation processes. Together, these projects aim to inform service design, enhance equity in healthcare access, and guide future policy through robust evidence and community collaboration.
For additional information about any of the projects and publications, please contact Alejandro Vasquez-Hernandez.
General Team: Christine Shiner, Matthew Larkin, Alejandro Vasquez-Hernandez, Jo River, Lisa Wood, Shannen Vallesi, and Timothy English.
Lived Experience Members: Nuala Fogarty, Glenn Miller, Charles Cosgrove, and Paul Rosenthal.
