Dr Theresa Lynch

Chair, Pregnancy and Homelessness Coalition

For four decades Theresa has remained passionate in seeking justice and equality for disadvantaged and vulnerable women and children.

For 11 years she managed the Victorian Royal Women’s Hospital Drug and Alcohol Service, providing specialised multidisciplinary clinical care and support to pregnant women and infants impacted by complex drug and alcohol use. In 2014, Theresa, with the support of The Women’s Hospital, formed an alliance of housing and drug and alcohol services in Victoria to improve vulnerable mothers’ direct access to maternity care, outreach support and connections to housing services. She then became part of the Women’s team, in partnership with HousingFirst Ltd and Launch Housing, that led the vision and establishment of the Cornelia Program, an Australian first, providing safety, support and a secure home for pregnant women and their babies.

Theresa, is the Chair of the Pregnancy and Homelessness Coalition, established in 2019, which aims to drive better practice through advocacy, research and information sharing to improve service and policy responses and standards of care for pregnant women and gender diverse birthing parents experiencing homelessness and their newborns. Currently comprised of over 35 organisations and individuals, the Coalition is Victorian based but has members from most other states.