Street Side Medics Expanding to Newcastle and Canberra in 2026
An initiative close to the heart of the MacDougall Foundation is set to finally arrive in the Hunter region next year.
Earlier this month, Newcastle Knights legend Adam MacDougall and his wife, Belinda, expressed their desire to bring Street Side Medics to the region. That vision is now becoming a reality, with the organisation confirming it will expand its services to Newcastle and Canberra in 2026.
“We’re extremely enthusiastic about the work of Street Side Medics, which is undertaken by an entirely volunteer medical staff and supported by generous donations from individuals and businesses,” Belinda MacDougall said.
Belinda highlighted the growing challenges many Australians face when trying to access healthcare.
“Currently, there are a lot of people who can’t afford medicines or to visit a doctor.
Our daughter hurt her neck just recently and we had to race her to emergency. It was on a Tuesday night, but it felt like midnight on a Sunday from years ago.
I couldn’t believe how busy they were. Maybe the arrival of Street Side Medics could alleviate that problem. It’s something Adam and I are really passionate about.”
A Growing Mission to Support Vulnerable Communities
Street Side Medics is a not-for-profit, free GP-led healthcare initiative founded by Dr Daniel Nour, the 2022 Young Australian of the Year. Since its inception, the organisation has supported thousands of vulnerable Australians and now operates four mobile medical clinics across Sydney, Melbourne, and regional New South Wales.
The addition of two new mobile medical vans, made possible through the support of LSH Auto Australia, will enable Street Side Medics to expand its presence into Newcastle and the Australian Capital Territory.
The service operates under a strict “no-turn-away policy” and focuses on areas with high concentrations of people experiencing homelessness throughout New South Wales and Victoria. By partnering with food services, shelters, and other homelessness-focused providers, Street Side Medics helps remove barriers to accessing primary healthcare.
Meeting Increasing Demand
“Today, Street Side Medics has 13 weekly mobile medical clinics, each run by an RACGP-accredited General Practitioner, and more than 350 trained volunteers,” Dr Nour said.
“At the moment, we are reaching communities of people experiencing homelessness across two states. But our national expansion will soon include both Newcastle and Canberra.
I wish I could say this amazing team and resources are sufficient. However, the reality is that they simply are not. There is no let-up in the demand for our services.
So, the ongoing support of our partners is critical if we are to expand and reach more vulnerable communities.”
How You Can Help
Street Side Medics continues to rely on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community partners to deliver essential healthcare services to those most in need.
If you would like to support the organisation and help deliver much-needed care to vulnerable Australians, visit: