A brand new mobile resource to improve health and social care for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in North West has been developed by the Western Trust.
The Western Trust's "Homeless Health Team" are hoping to help to break down barriers faced by vulnerable people who are homeless and in need of accessing adequate health care.
The HHT are a transformation project that has also successfully developed excellent relationships with the local Council, Housing Executive and PSNI, and integrated care pathways through existing statutory service models.
Paula Devine, who leads the Homeless transformation project at the Western Trust alongside Eileen Dolan, Podiatry Lead, said it was "very important to break down barriers" faced by people who are homeless in accessing health and social care.
“The Homeless Health Team have developed, and plans to further enhance access to all health services for those experiencing homelessness and assist in improving continuity and follow-up for homeless clients.
"Their goal is to break down barriers faced by people who are homeless in accessing health and social care. They offer dedicated accessible Nursing and Podiatry services to those homeless people who would have otherwise fallen through the ‘Gaps’, and signpost to other services.
"Their work to date has received overwhelming feedback regarding the positive impact this small team have had on this vulnerable population and their vital support to hostels/shelters and charitable organisations.
"The continual increase in the volume of those registering as homeless is predicted to rise over the next number of years, therefore highlighting the critical importance of this team and their valuable contribution to caring for this vulnerable group of people in our society.”
“The mobile clinic is another massive step in the development of ‘healthcare for homeless’ in the North West – all made possible by the passion and commitment of a team of two people Michelle and Gareth who are striving to improve access and care for this group.”
In the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, the rates of homelessness and the number of people in temporary accommodation were the highest in Northern Ireland.
The figures, published in September, come from Stormont's Department for Communities' latest statistics on homelessness.
Michelle Doyle, Public Health Nurse for the Homeless at the Western Trust, said Covid-19 had made challenges for those homeless "more difficult".
“They face multiple accommodation moves, loss of belongings and poor mental and physical health.
"Having access to this Mobile Health Unit has enabled the team new opportunities to deliver health care and podiatry services to people and places that we may have been unable to reach before.
“This is an extremely positive and groundbreaking initiative and we are planning to advance this service even further to ensure we meet the many health needs of our clients."
