Rob.Bates@ncar.UCAR.EDU (Rob Bates) (10/03/89)
The clinic operated in Melbourne Australia by the Gay Men's Community Health Centre recently passed a milestone when it registered its 1,000th client. It has been operating since February 1987. The clinic is a general practice for gay men, treating everything from in-grown toenails to HIV-related illness. The clinic is also open to other groups in the community that are affected by AIDS. It is the only community controlled gay or HIV practice in Australia. VAC president Keith Harbour commented that the popularity of the clinic was an indication of the strong need for gay-sensitive medical services. "Gay men have traditionally reveived a poor deal from the health system," he said. "Discrimination and prejudice are major problems. Our clinic and the gay private practices guarantee that gay and bisexual men will receive sensitive service. "The clinic is already offering a range of medical, welfare and counselling services. The range of services offered will be steadily increased in response to community needs, particularly those in our community with HIV infection." Originally offering only four sessions per week, the clinic now offers seven due to the increased demand. The friendliness and quality of care offered by the staff at the clinic was praised by Harbour, and it is planned to further extend the hours of operation and the range of services offered sometime in the future. The clinic operated by the Gay Men's Community Health Centre recently passed a milestone when it registered its 1,000th client. It has been operating since February 1987. The clinic is a general practice for gay men, treating everything from in-grown toenails to HIV-related illness. The clinic is also open to other groups in the community that are affected by AIDS. It is the only community controlled gay or HIV practice in Australia. VAC president Keith Harbour commented that the popularity of the clinic was an operation of the strong need for gay-sensitive medical services. "Gay men have traditionally reveived a poor deal from the health system," he said. "Discrimination and prejudice are major problems. Our clinic and the gay private practices guarantee that gay and bisexual men will receive sensitive service. "The clinic is already offering a range of medical, welfare and counselling services. The range of services offered will be steadily increased in response to community needs, particularly those in our community with HIV infection." Originally offering only four sessions per week, the clinic now offers seven due to the increased demand. The friendliness and quality of care offered by the staff at the clinic was praised by Harbour, and it is planned to further extend the hours of operation and the range of services offered sometime in the future. (from Melbourne Star Observer #101) Rob -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!noao!asuvax!stjhmc!3!634!381.1!Rob.Bates Internet: Rob.Bates@p1.f381.n634.z3.fidonet.org