The HealthBus GP Service was launched in December 2016 by Dr Maggie Kirk of Providence Surgery. It offers easily accessible healthcare for people sleeping rough in Bournemouth. This pioneering service has been described as invaluable and life-saving. It enables timely and relatively low cost interventions and preventative healthcare at the point of need.

The service is charitably run and supported by Dr Ni’man & Providence Surgery,  YMCA & St Stephens Church Bournemouth, Howard Hughes Business Management, Green Tambourine, Nationwide Community Benefit Fund, Public Health Dorset, Bourne Asset Management.

With more funding more rough sleepers could be reached.

With just one weekly surgery we have seen up to 200 patients each year. For many it has been their first contact with healthcare in months, years and sometimes decades. The service works with local providers of homeless services, connecting individuals with the help they need to move on and become housed. It is essential to address health and addiction issues as people are accommodated,  so as to improve their chances of maintaining tenancies and achieving their goals in life.