Portsmouth rough sleepers to get extra healthcare support as part of new pilot

The Homeless Healthcare Team, including a GP, nurse, mental health nurse and clinical psychologist, are now available at the Homeless Day Service at Yew House in Milton to help users find and access the wider support and services that they might need.

Initial success stories include a patient that a health navigator supported to access hospital treatment before a condition became more serious and someone who has been helped into temporary accommodation so that he can attend alcohol rehabilitation sessions and improve his health and wellbeing.

Kath Jones, the modern matron heading up the team, said: ‘Everyone is entitled to healthcare and the response we've had in the first few weeks of being established has been really encouraging

‘I anticipated it would take time for us to build the trust of these patients but they've been really grateful to have access to healthcare within the familiarity of the Homeless Day Service. They like that it’s not a clinical environment as some haven’t had a positive experience in GP surgeries or A&E.

‘We're able to give them longer appointments so that we can discuss multiple healthcare concerns, including their medication history, and also carry out clinical work such as taking bloods, providing necessary injections or vaccinations and dressing wounds.’

The one-year pilot has been set up using money awarded from Public Health England (PHE) and is a partnership between Portsmouth City Council and organisations including Solent NHS Trust and East Shore GP Partnership.

Ms Jones added: ‘The aim is to have other professionals join us for clinics at the Homeless Day Service, for example dentists, opticians, podiatrists, sexual health specialists and hepatology nurses so that patients can receive a full range of support.’

Councillor Matthew Winnington, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘I'm so pleased to see the service launched and that its first few weeks have already seen some positive outcomes.

‘We've been given a huge opportunity with this funding and it's great to see the team so determined to make it a success.’