Building Health Understanding for Frontline Teams

On 15 October 2025, 44 frontline professionals from across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole came together for a Homeless Health Training session delivered by Queen’s Nurse and Pathway Fellow Sam Dorney-Smith, as part of HealthBus Trust’s ongoing work supported by the Burdett Trust for Nursing.

The session explored key topics to strengthen engagement with people experiencing homelessness, including:

• The physical health impacts of addiction – such as brain injury, endocarditis, DVTs, and leg ulcers

• Mental health pathways and support strategies

• Respiratory illnesses, including asthma and COPD

• Health promotion and preventative care, focusing on health checks, outreach, and trauma-informed engagement

Delivered on behalf of HealthBus for staff, partners, and community professionals, the training offered valuable insight into the complex health needs faced by people without stable housing—and the systemic barriers that make accessing care so challenging.

At HealthBus, we remain committed to improving access to healthcare, promoting wellbeing, and building awareness across our community. By equipping frontline workers with knowledge and compassion, we move one step closer to ensuring that everyone—regardless of circumstance—can receive the care they deserve.