Tiny cars get giant results

by Emma Rugg

As Premier Nathan Rees seeks billions from the Federal Government to rebuild public hospitals, a specialised team at St Vincent’s, Darlinghurst is proving the value of community support.

While they originally got about on foot with large backpacks, The Community Outreach Medical Teams, COMET, can now be seen shooting around the inner city in two black Smart Cars ‘ courtesy of Mercedes Benz ‘ in an unusual union of public health and private industry. Teams usually consist of a Doctor and a Registered Nurse.

COMET Founder and director Professor Stephen Wilson said: ‘We look at the special needs of people who are homeless and disadvantaged in the community,’ and the Smart Cars allow the COMET team to quickly visit them in their own environs.

‘We have created the first ever GP training position in Urban Disadvantaged Health,’ he said.

Registrars usually rotated on a six-month basis.

Geoff Odgers, Welfare Team Leader of Wesley mission’s Edward Eagar Allan Lodge in Surry Hills, speaks highly of the COMET staff, who visit his clients once a week. ‘They do build up a relationship’ he said, helping people who might feel uncomfortable using the hospital’s regular services.

Launched in 2007, COMET was initially funded by donations, but has since also received operational funding from the NSW Government, and formed partnerships with other welfare organisations like Mission Beat.

While it’s still a part-time service, the extra help has allowed new services, like diabetes education and dental care. Professor Wilson says: ‘We will continue to look at the needs of the clients to determine how we expand the service.’

While COMET’s activities are conducted outside the hospital grounds, it’s been a smart move for St Vincent’s and the effects are being felt within.

In its two-year life span, COMET has significantly eased pressure on the Emergency Department, reduced admissions and increased accessibility to medical care.