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
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