A new partnership between medical and legal services is set to take place in Ballarat to help address the social and legal effects on the health of young people.
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The Health Justice Partnership between Federation University, Ballarat Community Health and Central Highlands Community Legal Centre will see law staff working with medical professionals to help stem the flow of young people with preventable illnesses.
Dr Marie Bismark of Melbourne School of Global Health was on hand to launch the partnership at the Lucas facility, and said co-operation between health and legal services was vital in addressing recurring illness in young people.
“Health professionals, as much as they would like to, aren’t always able to address complex legal and social detriments.”
CEO of Community Health Ballarat Robyn Reeves said around 75 per-cent of hospital patients were suffer from preventable illness, and said addressing the social causes of health problems is paramount to better health outcomes.
“Health problems have social determinants that mean people get ill because of preventable reasons.
“We keep treating people after they become ill, instead of doing the upstream work to stop them being sick in the first place.”
The program will see a lawyer located at the health centre in Lucas who can be accessed by patients and medical professionals. The lawyer will also be accessible upon request throughout the Ballarat region.
In addition to identifying social and legal causes of illness in young people, the program aims to provide legal assistance to young people regarding matters they may otherwise overlook.
“If you’re a homeless young person, who’s being bullied or has an alcohol or drug problem, the last thing you’re worried about is whether you’ve got a parking fine,” Ms Reeves said.
Less than 6 per cent of young people with legal trouble currently seek legal assistance, often leading to recurring involvement with the health and judicial systems.
Victorian Legal Services Board grants manager Lisa Buckland said it was important legal advice is provided in an environment where young people feel comfortable. “People more naturally come to a community health centre than a lawyer’s office.”
Director of Youth Law Ariel Couchman said the partnership also has an educational role to play, as many young people are not aware of how legal services could assist them. “They don’t know they have a legal problem. They don’t know about the law.”
The Ballarat program is one of eight projects which were awarded funding by the Victorian Legal Service Board at the end of 2014.