The 12th International Conference of the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health was held on the 15th & 16th March 2023, in London. The Conference focused on Integration for Inclusion Health – reflecting the shifts in the health and social care system flowing from the creation of Integrated Care Systems in England’s NHS this year. Integrating local services across housing, health, welfare and social services has been a policy objective for over two decades. Never has it been a higher imperative as we go through a cost of living and housing crisis that will increase poverty and social exclusion and precipitate more homelessness.

The programme brought together best practices, policy, clinical insights and research, not just from the UK but internationally. HealthBus Medical Director, Dr Maggie Kirk was invited to share the story of the charity and the proactive efforts to remove barriers of inequalities for both patients and carers.

The HealthBus team had the valuable opportunity to speak with Professor Sir Stephen Powis, (Medical Director NHS England) on the mobile clinic. The team shared how the charity is supporting the most vulnerable in our communities and the systems needed to improve and develop care further.

“The conference has been an outstanding opportunity to gather medical practitioners all over the country where pockets of excellence can be shared and challenges discussed. It been a privilege to speak to others about our bus and the continuing journey to enable accessible healthcare for those experiencing homelessness. The conference has been informative and useful.” Kate Hibbitt, HealthBus Operations Director.

 

Pathway is the UK’s leading homeless healthcare charity, helping the NHS to create hospital teams to support homeless patients. Each team includes a specialist GP, nurses, allied health professionals, housing experts and in some hospitals, Pathway Care Navigators: people who were once homeless who we train to support homeless patients.

Pathway has supported 11 hospitals to create homeless healthcare teams, helping over 3500 patients every year.  Many of the people they support have complex combinations of physical illness, mental illness and substance misuse problems, and histories of trauma and abuse.

In some areas Pathway teams can access specialist ‘respite care’, a place for homeless patients to recover after they’ve been in hospital, with clinical support on hand, relieving pressure on hospital bed spaces.

Pathway teams also provide a friendly smile, chance to chat, and everyday treats like a chocolate bar, hospital TV card or book. A small donation to our Dignity in Care Fund can really brighten someone’s day. Everything we do is to help homeless patients get life back onto a better ‘Pathway’. More about Pathway’s vision and mission can be found here.