Specialised LGBTQ+ health service to open in NSW

ACON, a New South Wales-based health promotion organisation focused on LGBTQ+ and HIV health, is opening a new health centre in South Eveleigh later this year.

Called Kaleido Health, the service is claimed to be the first of its kind to provide integrated and multidisciplinary care for sexuality and gender diverse people across the state.

ACON has been working towards the establishment of a dedicated LGBTQ+ health service since 2016 and its opening in spring 2024 marks a significant step forward. “The centre will deliver integrated care that is designed with the health needs of sexuality and gender diverse communities in central focus. LGBTQ+ people will be able to access a wide range of health services in a space that is for them, run by community, for community,” said ACON Deputy CEO and Kaleido Health Project Lead Karen Price.

“We’ve also taken inspiration from community-controlled health services operating in areas such as Aboriginal health and women’s health, and learned from service models that have been operating in the USA for over 50 years. Importantly, we’ve applied our relationships and knowledge of the NSW health system and our own experience in health service provision,” Price said.

Situated in the Belltower building on Gadigal land in Sydney’s South Eveleigh precinct, the centre will provide a range of primary care and specialist health services including general practice, sexual health services, mental health support, gender-affirming health care, drug and alcohol interventions, cancer screening services and more.

The NSW Government has provided $4.2m in funding for the development of Kaleido Health as part of the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022–2027.

Kaleido Health will operate in partnership and with a degree of integration within the NSW Health system. ACON’s primary partnership with Sydney Local Health District has been instrumental in the planning and development of the building for the service, and will provide some in-reach clinical services when operations commence.

Image credit: Ann-Marie Calilhanna.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “Our state has come a long way in supporting improved health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals but there is still much more to do. I look forward to NSW Health working with ACON to ensure the Kaleido Health Centre makes inroads in this space so everyone in NSW receives the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

Kaleido Health will also work with other partners including Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, and with other health organisations, specialists and allied health practitioners to provide additional services.

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said, “Partnerships are critical to NSW Health, and this collaboration with ACON reflects our commitment to delivering the best care for LGBTIQ+ people.

“Kaleido Health will add to and integrate with services provided by our Local Health Districts and Networks, including state-wide outreach and shared care arrangements to support people in rural and remote areas.”

Work has commenced on transforming the historic Belltower building into the Kaleido Health Centre. The building is well connected by public transport with Redfern Station next door being linked to 14 major train lines and is accessible with step-free access via an elevator.

Development of the name and banding has been led by design agency and ACON’s long-term partner Frost*Collective. Recruitment for key operational positions will be underway soon, and clinicians and other health professionals can register an expression of interests via the website.

Top image credit: Ann-Marie Calilhanna.