The HeLP initiative was launched in March 2014. It provides a form of free legal triage at the Alfred Hospital for patients who present with legal and health problems.
We provide a solicitor who is available to Alfred patients free-of-charge. The HeLP lawyer is on site two days per week to deal with a broad range of legal issues, not just in the areas that we normally specialise. The service is also available to relatives of Alfred patients and others who are close to the patient who believe the patient may have a legal need.
The HeLP lawyer is intended to be the first step in the legal process. They provide patients with advice about what they should do if it turns out that they have a legal problem. If necessary, the HeLP lawyer will then refer the patient to a person who is able to help and represent them.
Anything said to the HeLP lawyer is covered by legal privilege and remains confidential. This means the clinic records cannot be shared with Alfred Hospital staff or anyone else unless the Alfred patient specifically requests this.
The trial is supported by the Legal Services Board of Victoria and Justice Connect, and is based on similar clinics in the US and UK.
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