"The mobile clinic is another massive step in the development of ‘healthcare for homeless’ in the North West"

A brand new mobile resource to improve health and social care for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in the North West has been developed by the Western Trust.

The Western Trust's "Homeless Health Team," a transformation project, are hoping to help to break down barriers faced by vulnerable people who are homeless and in need of accessing adequate health care.

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 has 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," Paula said.

"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.”

Michelle Doyle, Public Health Nurse for the Homeless at the Western Trust said: “People experiencing homelessness face many challenges and the COVID-19 restrictions has made this even more difficult as they face multiple accommodation moves, loss of belongings and poor mental and physical health.

“The Western Trust Homeless Transformation Project Team is excited to be working in this new dynamic working relationship with The Welcome Organisation’s Homeless Mobile Health Unit. 

"We are grateful to them for working alongside us on delivering health care to people who are presently experiencing homelessness within the Western Trust. 

"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.

“Our service users have responded very positively to this service being made available to them, they all expressed their gratitude for the Mobile Health Units service.

“This is an extremely positive and ground breaking initiative and we are planning to advance this service even further to ensure we meet the many health needs of our clients. 

"What the Homeless Transformation Project Team have learned to date, is that by reaching out to provide a specialist service to meet the health needs of people experiencing homelessness does work and by having access to this Mobile Health Unit will allow us to continue this and develop further in the future.”

Gareth Cullen, Homelessness Podiatrist added:  “It’s fantastic to see the Western Trust’s Homelessness project grow and develop. 

"By working in collaboration with The Welcome Organisation we have the ability and flexibility to reach vulnerable patients who may have otherwise missed out on their COVID-19 vaccinations."

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.