A first-of-its-kind service helping homeless patients make the transition out of hospital has been launched by East London NHS Foundation Trust.
The new Newham Homeless Team focuses on the unique healthcare needs of the homeless people at Newham University Hospital.
The project is being undertaken in collaboration with Newham Council, with local health leaders anticipating the programme can improve patient flow by reducing delays in discharges, A&E attendances and unscheduled admissions.
Newham’s Community Health Service Homelessness project Service Lead, Raguraman Padmanabhan, said: “The team has an innovative approach to solving problems and comprises some very experienced and dynamic colleagues who understand the intricacies of partnership working.
"By increasing referrals, we can really help to ensure some of the most vulnerable people in our community get the right help and support they need to live healthier lives.”
Homeless Project Worker, Senior Practitioner Josephine Darko, added: “The establishment of the Homeless Team is such a positive challenge, and I’m really pleased to be involved. Improving the lives of our homeless clients is the spur, and that means all of us working together as partners to create change.”
The project’s establishment comes just after Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust combined to launch an innovative environmentally friendly bike that traverses the streets of London to screen homeless people of blood-borne viruses, STIs, TB, HIV as well as delivering any necessary vaccinations.
To learn more about how the eco-bike is helping the people of London, stay tuned for the release of our online magazine next week, where UCLH Specialty Doctor, Dr Indrajit Ghosh, will give his exclusive account of the innovation.
Read analysis, insight and comment from leaders across the health sector in our latest online magazine here.
