‘I thought it would be dangerous’: Meet the GP who took to the streets
On most days, GP Dr Jeff Jankelson treats the patients who on the surface have it all: those living in one of Australia’s wealthiest suburbs, home to some of the country’s richest people.
But one night each month, he crosses the social divide from Sydney’s Rose Bay to Woolloomooloo to care for some of the most marginalised.
“By the time I’m finished work at seven and then go to Woolloomooloo, I’m exhausted,” the 72-year-old tells AusDoc.
“But when I get there, the energy of the place and everybody involved is incredible. Suddenly I’m fully alert and enthused.”
Dr Jankelson volunteers with Street Side Medics, a free mobile GP clinic providing healthcare services to people who live on the street, in public housing or in their cars.
Founded in 2020 by Dr Daniel Nour, a former Young Australian of the Year, Street Side Medics now operates six vans across Sydney, parts of the NSW south coast, Melbourne and some regional Victorian centres.
Staffed by a GP, another medical officer, a driver and volunteers, the vans are equipped with examination couches, ECG monitors, blood pressure devices and a small pharmacy stock. Those with Medicare cards are bulk-billed and those without are treated for free.
As an example of genuine holistic care dealing with some of the social determinants, Street Side Medics also partners with food and shelter services to support patients.
Dr Jankelson says the gap between what he expected before he signed up and the reality was significant.
And he hopes that in sharing his story, he will encourage other GPs to volunteer, especially in Melbourne, where Street Side Medics’ newer services are desperate for doctors.
“My expectation was that there would be a lot of drug and alcohol-related issues and I was a bit nervous initially, because my impression was that it would be dangerous,” he says.
“But, in fact, it wasn’t anything like that at all.”
He remembers his first shift well because it brought him into contact with a woman who eventually went from homelessness to permanent aged care accommodation through her association with Street Side Medics.
Initially nervous about entering the van, she had her dressings changed outside in the dark.
“I saw her many times after that and eventually got her to come into the van so we could treat her properly,” Dr Jankelson says.
“Then I encouraged her to come to my practice between visits to have her dressings changed. Street Side Medics arranged a driver to bring her.
“Ultimately, we got her placed in a nursing home in Vaucluse as a permanent resident, so she went from homelessness to an aged care facility. It was an incredible story really.”
He adds: “We see such a wide variety of people, from those who are simply down on their luck to those with drug and alcohol issues.
“But they are all human beings that you develop a relationship with. I wouldn’t ordinarily have been exposed to people in that situation, and you feel as though you make a difference.”
He says the presentations he deals with vary in ways you would expect; from wound care and blood pressure checks to diabetes, hepatitis C, HIV, colds and flu.
“So it’s anything you would see in a typical general practice and if necessary, we get them in to see specialists and into hospital.”
Dr Jankelson first decided to volunteer after hearing Street Side Medics co-ordinator Melanie Lindenberg, who is a patient at his Rose Bay practice, describe her work.
Initially he volunteered weekly, but now does about one shift a month as more doctors have come on board with the project.
“I feel I’ve been privileged in my upbringing, my education and my profession,” he says.
“I feel good about giving something back to those who otherwise wouldn’t have that opportunity.
GPs interested in volunteering can visit the Street Side Medics website for more information or email volunteer@streetsidemedics.com.au.
Read more: Doctor rejects being a hospital specialist to be a GP for homeless patients
