Mobile health clinic targets youth at-risk

2/4/00
A new mobile health clinic for young people in the Swan Hills area was opened today by Health Minister John Day.
Mr Day said the Mobile Access Centre (MAC) was built to target the needs of at-risk youth and would provide specialist medical services, information, referral and counselling.
"The MAC will have a strong emphasis on lifestyle and health education and training and will be integrated with the local youth workers and youth advisory committees," he said.
"The initiative of the Swan Hills Division of General Practitioners is supported by local shires, agencies, local services and individuals.
"The MAC is funded through the Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth Program. The Health Department of Western Australia provided $40,000 for the establishment of the MAC last year, and a further $47,000 to the centre this year."
Mr Day said that with stresses from home and school, and pressures to fit in with peers, being a teenager today was not easy.
"How our young people learn to deal with the pressures in their lives has a profound effect on their future," he said.
"The Mobile Access Centre will help our youth answer some of the questions that teenage life presents and prevent others from needing to ask them.
"Recent studies have shown that adolescent health problems were broad and extensive, and included a range of issues such as mental health, youth suicide, eating disorders, sexual expression, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and contraception.
"The Swan Hills Division of General Practitioners must be commended for taking action and responding to the needs of our young people by introducing such a unique health initiative."
The aims of the Mobile Access Centre include:

• providing an accessible health service to young people which will promote a healthy dietary, social and recreational lifestyle;

• providing access and referrals for young people to youth friendly GPs;

• increasing young people's interaction with the local health service providers;

• increasing education and training opportunities to reduce 'at risk' behaviours;

• encouraging young people to be more responsible for their health; and -

• evaluating positive outcomes and identifying any gaps in the system.

Mr Day said the Government was strongly committed to supporting our youth.
"They are tomorrow's leaders and that is why it is so important that we look after the young people in our community and take a strong interest in their well-being," he said.
Media contact: Carole Cowling 9213 6600