The Junction

FYI and for informing whomever

Christina Ryan General Manager Advocacy for Inclusion

Advocacy for Inclusion is a member of the Disability Advocacy Network of Australia www.dana.org.au
       
christina@advocacyforinclusion.org
www.advocacyforinclusion.org
https://twitter.com/Adv4Inclusion
Ph: 61 2 6257 4005
Fax: 61 2 6257 4006
2.02 Griffin Centre
20 Genge Street
Canberra City  ACT  2601

-----Original Message-----
From: cdnet-bounces@communitylists.org.au [mailto:cdnet-bounces@communitylists.org.au] On Behalf Of Laura Dawel
Sent: Monday, 18 August 2014 1:39 PM
To: cdnet@communitylists.org.au
Subject: [CDNet] The Junction

Update about The Junction Youth Health Service

The capacity of clinical services at The Junction Youth Health Service has recently increased and we are now usually able to book young people in on the same day they call or the following day.

For those who don't know of The Junction, it is a free primary health care service for young people aged 12-25 and their dependants, with a particular focus on young people who are homeless or otherwise at risk.

When calling to book an appointment young people are encouraged to let our reception staff know why they are booking an appointment, so that we can book them in with the most appropriate person.

Please see below for an overview of the services that are currently available at The Junction.

Three GPs
The general practitioners provide primary health care including, but not limited to:

* Chronic disease management

* Wound care and dressings

* Sexual health care

* Mental health care

* Assessments, education and referral


Two Paediatric Registrars
Clients up to the age of 18 and their children can see a paediatrics registrar for anything that a GP might see someone for including assessment, treatment, referral and education. All young people under 18 and children are encouraged to book with a paediatrics registrar, unless they have highly complex needs or the paediatrics registrar is unavailable or the client/parent's preference is for another GP. Paediatrics registrars do not do immunisations or take blood. Paediatrics Registrars are provided to The Junction by The Canberra Hospital.

Nurse
Our nurse provides pap smears, STI screens, immunisations, blood tests, pregnancy tests, discussion about pregnancy options, contraception, Implanon insertion and removal, and child health checks, if the paediatrics registrar is unavailable.



Nurse Practitioner

Our nurse practitioner does everything that the nurse does plus antenatal care, prescribing for acute illnesses and continuing prescriptions for ongoing illnesses, such as mental health medications, if there is no GP available. The nurse practitioner can also prepare Mental Health Care Plans for the GPs.


Counselling (there is currently a waiting list for this service)

Our counsellors provide a safe space for young people to explore any issue they are experiencing and help to come up with strategies for dealing with these issues. Some of the things that people come to see our counsellors about include:

* Anxiety

* Depression

* Stress

* Sleeping difficulties

* School issues

* Bullying

* Relationships

* Alcohol and other drug use

* Addictive behaviours

* Changing unwanted behaviours

* Just to offload


Youth Work

There is always a youth worker available when The Junction is open who young people can just drop in to see for support about any issue. Some of the common things that the youth workers support people with include:

* Centrelink

* Housing

* Budgeting

* Emergency relief

* Getting a birth certificate

* Filling out paperwork

* Advocacy


Outreach
The Junction runs small group programs in schools and at other services about health related topics. The groups are tailored to the needs of the participants and some of the topics that are covered in these groups include healthy relationships, body confidence, mental health, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and alcohol and other drugs.

The youth workers also provide outreach to individuals. This includes transporting people to their healthcare appointments and supporting people to access other services like Centrelink and ACT Housing.

Antenatal Clinic
The Step Ahead Program provides antenatal care and education for pregnant clients of The Junction. This program is provided by The Canberra Hospital Antenatal Clinic. Clients can access a midwife and a social worker for antenatal checkups, referral and advocacy including housing support, support to continue formal education and parenting support and education.

Smoking Cessation Clinic
The Smoking Cessation Clinic is provided by the Cancer Council of the ACT. The clinic includes access to free nicotine replacement therapy, counselling and support to cease or change smoking habits to improve health outcomes.

Please call on 6232 2423 if you have any enquiries or to make a booking.