People experiencing homelessness in Nowra now have access to free, high-quality health care thanks to the arrival of Street Side Medics, a not-for-profit, GP-led mobile medical service that officially launched its first regional clinic on Friday.

The new service was opened by Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips MP, NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, and COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN, which jointly funded the initiative with the NSW Government.

Operating every Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon at the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub in Plunkett Street, the mobile clinic is staffed by volunteer general practitioners, specialists, junior doctors and registered nurses.

Street Side Medics was founded by 2022 Young Australian of the Year, Dr Daniel Nour, to bring free primary healthcare directly to people experiencing homelessness.

Its fully equipped mobile medical units visit locations with high rates of housing insecurity, delivering a wide range of services including health checks, chronic disease management, mental health support, pathology, immunisations, nutritional advice, and minor surgical procedures.

Minister Ryan Park said the $200,000 in funding announced in March had enabled Street Side Medics to expand into regional NSW.

The project would provide "very best healthcare to some of the most vulnerable people across the south coast and Shoalhaven region".

"This is a great initiative. We know people experiencing homelessness face serious barriers in accessing health services,” he said.

“This clinic will ensure they can get advice and treatment for acute and chronic issues, delivered with compassion and respect.

Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said the service was an example of the state’s Homelessness Strategy in action.

“Homelessness is about more than housing – it’s about wellbeing, connection, and hope,” she said.

“By linking health care with housing and support, we’re helping people rebuild their lives.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said the clinic would be “a game-changer” for some of the community’s most vulnerable.

“It means people won’t have to choose between seeing a doctor and meeting basic daily needs,” she said.

Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips said the Albanese Government was committed to equitable access to healthcare.

“People experiencing homelessness are at much higher risk of poor physical and mental health,” she said. “It is so important that those in the Shoalhaven can now access this service.”

COORDINARE CEO Prudence Buist encouraged local health professionals to volunteer, noting the service operates on a no-turn-away policy and treats patients free of charge, even without Medicare.

Dr Nour said the mobile model was designed to break down barriers.

“We work with other service providers to ensure care is accessible,” he said. “Mobile clinics like ours play a vital role, but for lasting change we need to scale what works and commit as a nation to doing better.”

For more information or to volunteer, visit streetsidemedics.com.au.