ACON, a New South Wales-based health promotion organization focused on LGBTQ+ and HIV health, is opening a new health center in South Eveleigh later this year.
The service, called Kaleido Health, will be the first of its kind to provide integrated and multidisciplinary care for people of sexual and gender diversity nationwide.
ACON has been working to establish a dedicated LGBTQ+ healthcare service since 2016 and its opening in spring 2024 represents a significant step forward. “The center will provide integrated care focused on the healthcare needs of sexual and gender diverse communities. LGBTQ+ people will have access to a wide range of health services in a space designed for them and run by the community, for the community,” said Karen Price, deputy CEO of ACON and leader of the Kaleido Health project.
“We also took inspiration from community-controlled health services working in areas such as Aboriginal health and women’s health, and learned from service models that have existed in the US for over 50 years. Importantly, we have leveraged our relationships and knowledge of the New South Wales health system, as well as our own experience in delivering health services,” Price said.
Located in the Belltower Building on the Gadigal Estate in Sydney’s South Eveleigh district, the center will provide a range of primary care and specialist healthcare services including general medicine, sexual health services, mental health support, gender responsive healthcare, drug and alcohol interventions, cancer screening services and more.
The New South Wales Government has committed $4.2 million in funding to the development of Kaleido Health as part of the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027.
Kaleido Health will operate in partnership and with some integration into the NSW health system. ACON’s primary partnership with the Sydney Local Health District has been instrumental in the planning and development of the building for the service and will provide some accessible clinical services when operational.
Health Minister Ryan Park said: “Our state has made great strides in supporting improved health outcomes for LGBTQ+ people, but there is still much more to do.” I look forward to NSW Health working with ACON to ensure the Kaleido Health Center is making progress in this area so that everyone in NSW receives the quality healthcare they deserve.”
Kaleido Health will also work with other partners, including the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, as well as other health organizations, specialists and allied health practitioners to provide additional services.
NSW Health Minister Susan Pearce AM said: “Partnerships are critical to NSW Health and this collaboration with ACON reflects our commitment to providing the best care for LGBTIQ+ people.”
“Kaleido Health will complement and integrate services provided by our local health districts and networks, including statewide outreach and shared care arrangements to support people in rural and remote areas.”
Work has begun to convert the historic Belltower building into the Kaleido Health Center. The building has good public transport connections, as Redfern train station next door is connected to 14 major train lines and has step-free access via a lift.
The development of the name and banding was led by design agency and ACON’s long-time partner Frost*Collective. Recruitment for key operational roles will begin shortly and clinicians and other healthcare professionals can submit expressions of interest via the website.