North-west professionals tackle homelessness & health
A group of passionate health professionals are meeting in Manchester next week to discuss the city’s worsening homelessness crisis.
The regional meeting of the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health, will bring together doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, hostel workers and commissioners to look at new ways of providing support to people who are homeless who have mental health problems. Over 70% percent of people who are homeless have a physical or mental health problem. People who’ve lost their home are more likely to suffer depression, more likely to feel suicidal and are more likely to suffer from serious illnesses such as epilepsy, diabetes and emphysema.
Rachel Brennan, Manager of the Homeless Service at Urban Village Medical Practice who are hosting the meeting said:
“Every day we see patients who are struggling with homelessness and horrendous health problems. All of us need good healthcare, but it’s especially vital that patients who’ve fallen through the net can get the support they need to get back on their feet.”
Michael is a patient at the practice. He slept rough in Manchester on and off for 4 years, until his health deteriorated and he was hospitalised. With the support of the hospital homeless service, Mpath, Michael got into a hostel and got healthcare and drug treatment. As his health and stability increased, he leapt at the chance to move into his own home. He now manages his health conditions with a local GP practice. Michael said:
“Without help from Urban Village and other supporting staff I think I would have died on the streets. Through the practice I’ve completed Hepatitis C treatment, come off alcohol and drugs and got my own place. I can’t thank everyone enough for their help.”
Alex Bax, CEO of Pathway, who host the Faculty of Homeless and Inclusion Health said:
“Good health services can change the lives of people who are homeless. The best services bring together health, housing and social care. Andy Burnham’s commitment to join up services across the city is an amazing opportunity for change.”
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Pictures are available on request.
Contact
Cat Whitehouse, Communications Officer
cat.whitehouse@pathway.org.uk
020 3447 8780
Notes to Editors
- The Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health Regional meeting will take place on 26 July 2017, 17:00 – 19:30 at Urban Village Medical Practice, Ancoats Primary Care Centre, Old Mill Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6EE.
- Inclusion health is a discipline focusing on the health needs of people who are homeless, vulnerable migrants, gypsy and traveller communities and people who sell sex, groups that all struggle to access healthcare, but often have serious health problems.
- The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges has recently made a joint statement on inclusion health with The Faculty, committing all 24 of the UK and Ireland’s Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties to reducing inequality.
About The Faculty
The Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health is a network of over 1000 professionals working in inclusion health – a discipline supporting
- People who are homeless
- People who sell sex
- People from gypsy and traveller communities
- Migrants who are vulnerable
Members include doctors, dentists nurses, social workers, public health experts, support workers, researchers, commissioners and people with lived experience of exclusion. Faculty membership is free, and offers research and updates on inclusion health issues, a network of regional meetings and training events and consultation around the National Service Standards for Homeless and Inclusion Health, endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians. The Faculty is hosted by Pathway, a charity helping the NHS to support homeless people.