Wheels of Wellness Hub

Wheels of Wellness is a specialised healthcare and wellbeing service supporting people experiencing homelessness and other forms of marginalisation in Cairns. Based in Cairns City, its work is designed for people who may have disengaged from mainstream health services, with a focus on building trust, continuity of care and a sense of dignity alongside clinical treatment.

The service brings together doctors, registered nurses, Indigenous Health Practitioners and a social worker. Support can include general practice appointments, health assessments, referrals, GP management plans, mental healthcare plans, sexual health services, vaccinations, medication management and follow-up after hospital discharge. Its social services also offer counselling, group programs and practical assistance to help people move towards greater stability and reconnection with the community. The website notes that general practice is available through both in-clinic and outreach clinics, helping extend care to people who may face barriers to attending a traditional practice.

The atmosphere described by Wheels of Wellness is less about a conventional clinic experience and more about a welcoming, human-centred space where rapport is treated as an essential part of care. Its approach recognises that health is closely linked with social and emotional wellbeing, and that clients may have complex or ongoing needs. The organisation also places importance on cultural respect and inclusion, acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and welcoming people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

Wheels of Wellness began in 2014 as a GP-led mobile outreach program established under Dr Amanda Roberts through Stratford Medical Centre. It initially supported people experiencing homelessness, sleeping rough or domestic violence, then developed into a broader healthcare program for marginalised people. The program became a registered charity in 2020 and an independent organisation in 2021. Its history includes adapting a mobile van to provide more private, accessible care and working with community health services and non-government organisations.

This is not a café, retail venue or general wellness studio; it is a focused community health service for people needing accessible medical and social support. It may also suit organisations, health professionals and community members looking to understand or support local homelessness healthcare. The website directs visitors to its Practice Information page for details about appointments, fees, referrals, accessibility, confidentiality and after-hours care.