Paving the way for change: ACN’s new Street Health Faculty

ACN is excited to launch its newest faculty – Street Health.

This faculty will bring nurses together who care for people suffering homelessness and will address a significant gap in our healthcare system. This faculty, the first of its kind in Australia, will be chaired by ACN’s previous Trailblazer Award winner Sonia Martin MACN.

In the ever-evolving landscape of health care, it is imperative that our nursing community adapts to meet the diverse needs of all Australians. Sonia Martin has worked extensively with vulnerable Australians for 30 years as a Registered Nurse and alongside people experiencing homelessness for half a decade. In 2022 Sonia was successful in gaining a prestigious Churchill Fellowship. Her Churchill Fellowship travels enabled her to visit India, Italy, France, England, the USA, and Canada to research how to improve access to primary health care and palliative care for people living in homelessness and poverty.

After spending time with the Queen’s Nursing Institute in London, England, Sonia witnessed firsthand the support of a peak nursing body in the street health sector. Realising that there was no peak nursing body in Australia specifically dedicated to the nursing street health sector and after careful consideration of the health care challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness in Australia, Sonia approached the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) to establish Australia’s first Faculty for Street Health and Inclusion. ACN is now proud to announce the establishment of this groundbreaking faculty, with Sonia Martin as the Faculty Chair.

Why this faculty is a game-changer for ACN and Australia

The creation of the Street Health Faculty at ACN addresses a significant gap in our healthcare system. Nurses and nurse practitioners working in street health face unique challenges that demand specialised support, guidance, recognition, and advocacy. This faculty is not just a response to a need—it is a strategic move toward fostering inclusivity, equity, and innovation in nursing. Moreover, Sonia Martin’s involvement with London’s NHS Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health, coupled with her global mentors in London, England, and Los Angeles and Boston, USA from her 2023 Churchill Fellowship travels, ensures that the faculty remains at the forefront of advancements in this critical space.

Image: Sorting supplies

Vision for the Street Health Faculty

Sonia’s vision for the Street Health Faculty goes beyond filling a void; it is about pioneering a transformative shift in nursing practice. She envisions a community of compassionate and specialised nurses equipped to address the complex health needs of individuals facing homelessness and social exclusion. Here’s what joining the faculty entails for nurses.

• Specialised Education
  The faculty will offer targeted CPD educational programs and webinars, equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the unique challenges of street and inclusion health. From understanding the social determinants of health to mastering culturally sensitive care, our education seminars will empower nurses to make a lasting impact on a community often sleeping rough and doing it tough.
• Advocacy and Policy Influence
  Nurses are powerful advocates for change. The faculty will provide a platform for nurses to engage in policy discussions, contribute to advocacy efforts, and drive systemic change. By amplifying the voices of street health nurses, we aim to influence policies through ACN that foster a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
• Community and Collaboration
  Joining the faculty means becoming part of a regular, vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Sonia Martin will be bringing her passion and dedication to the position of Faculty Chair, as well as her experiences of the street health sector globally. Through networking events, forums, and collaborative initiatives, nurses will have the opportunity to share experiences, best practices, and innovative solutions. The faculty will build a support network that enhances the effectiveness of street health interventions nationwide.
• Leadership Opportunities
  We believe in empowering nurses to take on leadership roles. As a faculty member, you will have the chance to contribute to shaping the future of street health nursing. Whether it’s leading projects, conducting research, or mentoring new initiatives, we aim to cultivate leadership skills among our members.

The Street Health Faculty is not just a response to a need—it is a strategic move towards fostering inclusivity, equity, and innovation in nursing in Australia.

We invite nurses across Australia to join Sonia and this Australian first faculty in this transformative journey, as we collectively strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

This article was originally published in the Autumn 2024edition of ACN’s quarterly member publication The Hive. Members can access all past editions of The Hive on MyACN. Non-members can get a sneak peek by viewing our open-access articles.