A healthcare service was launched in January 2024, helping the homeless and vulnerable in Chelmsford access critical health and care services.
Through a partnership between local NHS and a local charity, a one stop clinic for health and wellbeing has been set up in Sanctus Hub centre.*
Dr Chowdhury, local GP and clinical lead for NHS Mid and South Essex said: “We know that homeless communities are less likely to report a physical health issue than the general public, including conditions that are usually associated with older age which just shows the impact homelessness has on their health. They also experience multiple barriers that prevents them from accessing the right care, including not being registered at a GP Practice.
Through this important outreach service, we can bring healthcare to them, which will help us to help them improve their health and wellbeing and avoid future emergency hospital admissions.”
The healthcare services, make use of some fully equipped private rooms in Sanctus on Broomfield Road. Since its launch in January, they have delivered over 320 appointments to service user. This service provides regular contact with a clinician, which is often difficult due to personal circumstances and addiction or a lack of a mobile phone.
A number of serious conditions have been identified and potential admissions to accident and emergency have been avoided because of the service. These include a case of severe hypertension that was referred to medical assessment unit as an emergency, a service user with ulcerated legs being able to get weekly dressing changes, a person who was provided with suicidal prevention support by a Mental Practitioner and two cases of people with a potentially serious bowel condition were identified.
Mark has used the clinic’s services at Sanctus, he said: ‘When I was recently feeling down there was someone there to listen to me. The thing is if the services wasn’t here, I wouldn’t bother trying to get to my own GP, but these people are friendly and understanding and as a result I felt listen and my mind was at ease.
Sanctus registered service users can access the clinic every Wednesday to get advice, support and treatment from a GP, Nurse Practitioner, Social Prescriber, Mental Health Practitioner, as well as get health checks including cancer screening, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, vaccinations, wound dressings, and mental health support.
Service user can also register with a GP practice as a permanent or temporarily registered patient, although they can still access treatment even if they do not want to register. Service users are also encouraged to engage with their own practice or register as permanent patient at a practice convenient to them. So far over 20 service users have since registered with the GP service.
Emma Hughes, Sanctus CEO, said: “It is incredibly positive to see our vulnerable clients actively seeking medical support and advice from this incredible healthcare service. It is of great benefit to service users to come into a safe and familiar environment to have all their healthcare needs met in a single location. Service users feel heard, supported and cared for in a way that they do not normally experience. I would like to extend my thanks to Georgina and the team for bringing this important service to Sanctus and our vulnerable community.
Georgina Morgan, Chelmer PCN Manager, said:
“This programme is important not only for clients, but also the NHS staff. It great to be able to talk to people and change lives in big and small ways. It has been one of the most rewarding and moving experiences I have had in my career.
Future plans include outreach healthcare on multiple days, alongside ongoing flu and COVID vaccination programmes throughout the year.
