Duchess of York visits St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney to open Stanford House

Duchess of York visits St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney to open Stanford House

08 Apr 2016

Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson yesterday opened Stanford House at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, a new supported accommodation service for people living with HIV who have complex health needs. The home has capacity for six clients and also offers outreach services for clients and past residents, previously based at Stanmore.

During the opening, CEO St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney Anthony Schembri said “We’re delighted to have the Duchess with us today to open this vital service. St Vincent’s established the country’s first HIV service over thirty years ago and continues to provide several HIV clinical and community services as well as conduct major international clinical research into HIV. Along with our partners, Patron Andrew McFarlane, Committee of Stanford House and Sydney Local Health District, I know our clients will get the best care and effectively link with the vital supports within our community.”

As well as officially opening Stanford House, the Duchess of York also took the time to meet staff and patients from the Hospital’s Heart and Lung Unit as well as Cancer Services and ICU.

About Stanford House

  • The primary objectives of Stanford House are to:
  • Provide a service for people living with HIV who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to assist them to achieve stabilisation of basic accommodation, food, support, health and wellbeing needs;
  • Support intensive case management and integrated care coordination with service providers to assist clients to improve HIV clinical management and treatment adherence;
  • Improve clinical management of other chronic physical, drug and alcohol and mental health conditions;
  • Support clients to transition into independent living.
  • The St Vincent’s Curran Foundation (SVCF) has contributed $70,000 towards the fit out of Stanford House that has been raised through the HIV Future Fund which also has an Ambassador program.  SVCF hopes to raise $300,000 per year to fund HIV/Aids research and treatment.  For further information, please visit https://www.supportstvincents.com.au/our-areas-of-need/hivaids/