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Health and Homelessness Effective interactions

Health and Homelessness Effective interactions. Lesley Dewhurst Chief Executive Oxford Homeless Pathways. Homelessness is BAD for health!. 80% have one or more physical health problem 70% have at least one mental health problem

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Health and Homelessness Effective interactions

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  1. Health and HomelessnessEffective interactions Lesley Dewhurst Chief Executive Oxford Homeless Pathways

  2. Homelessness is BAD for health! • 80% have one or more physical health problem • 70% have at least one mental health problem • 40% will end up in A&E in any six month period, and nearly a third will be admitted to hospital • Yet health care is NOT prioritised by most homeless people

  3. So, what works? • Services must be accessible • Emphasis on preventative services (screening and immunisation) • There must be a coherent network of services across health, social care and housing • Homelessness issues should be part of core training for health professionals

  4. Luther Street Medical Centre • Makes a huge difference to delivery of effective health care to homeless people • Located in the heart of homeless services • Holistic approach, including: • Podiatry • Dentistry • Mental health • Substance misuse services

  5. LSMC continued………. • Full health checks, including BBVs • Immunisation – Hep A and B, Flu • Periodic TB screening • Training module for medics

  6. Partnership work • O’Hanlon House – staff encourage registration on entry • Daily liaison with LSMC staff • Interaction with Street Services Outreach team • PATHS project – enabling patients to attend hospital and other medical appointments • Needle exchange at O’Hanlon House

  7. Case study – Lizzie • Mid 30’s • Previous history of long term drug use – now on Subutex script • Excessive alcohol use – liver problems • Brain injury – affecting vision and short term memory • Epilepsy • In and out of prison all her life. • Very chaotic

  8. Lizzie……how partnership worked • Slow but sure approach • Putting responsibility back onto Lizzie • Presenting options and highlighting risks • Liaising with LSMC • Being there at the right time - DETOX • Coordination of hospital admission and discharge • Still doing well in Simon House – clean and dry

  9. Recent research (Homeless Link) tells us… • Oversight of local H & WB Board is essential • H & WB Board must work with housing and related support agencies – integration not competition

  10. Some practical steps • Homeless people’s needs should be included in every JSNA, H&WB strategy and commissioning plans (Health Needs Audit Toolkit) • Service users can be involved in this process (Homelessness and Health Peer Activity Toolkit)

  11. Final message • Homeless people can be very expensive if problems are not nipped in the bud • Keep us involved! We want to help with the planning and delivery of health services

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