Heartbeat: Working against the odds to improve experience of homeless patients

June 3, 2019

There has been a huge increase in homelessness over the past few years and this continues to rise with shocking figures revealing that one in 73 people are now homeless in Birmingham. This rise has been linked to spiralling rents, welfare cuts and a lack of social housing.

Following an annual review in 2018, the charity ‘Shelter’ revealed that an astonishing 15,538 were recorded as ‘homeless’ in Birmingham.

Despite these horrific statistics, our homeless patient pathway (HPP) team continues to work against the odds improving the experience of our homeless patients by providing much needed interventions such as securing accommodation, advice and signposting, food, clothing and toiletries.

Helen Taylor, Lead Nurse for HPP plays a fundamental role in ensuring that we continue to support our homeless patients.

She said: “The majority if not all of our homeless patients face rates of physical ill health several times higher than the general population, often combined by mental ill health and substance misuse. In addition to this, depression is also extremely common, with homeless people being nine times more likely to take their own life than the general population. With this mind, it’s vital we continue to support this client group as they are some of the most vulnerable in our community.”

HPP aims to reduce homelessness across Sandwell and Birmingham by either securing suitable accommodation on discharge or signposting to the relevant agencies for additional support. They assist our homeless patients by helping them to access services to manage their situations of crisis.

Helen believes we are achieving this but we must continue to maintain the high standards so the service can maintain its success.

Colleagues can assist with this by identifying homeless patients and referring to the team as soon as possible so they have adequate time to respond and achieve a safer discharge.

A perfect example of this was a young vulnerable patient who was helped by the team and has now completely turned his life around.

Helen said: “The patient was made homeless due to family conflict and was only 19 years old at the time. The patient was suicidal due to debt issues and homelessness and had attempted to take his own life on multiple occasions.

After being admitted into City Hospital he was immediately referred to the homeless team. The support of HPP ensured stable supported accommodation as well as external agency referrals to address his mental health and financial difficulties.

They also offered community follow up, GP registration, food and clothing. Following on from the interventions from HPP the patient is still sustaining a tenancy, has returned to full time employment and enjoying a healthier lifestyle by attending his local gym three times a week.”