Health care for homeless given cash injection (From The Bolton News)

Health care for homeless given cash injection

12:15pm Thursday 5th November 2009 in

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A HEALTH service for homeless people has received a funding boost to build on its success.

St Luke’s Drop In Centre in Chorley Old Road, Brownlow Fold, supports people who sleep rough or have no secure home.

There is a weekly health clinic and the Primary Care Trust is getting an extra £46,000 a year to develop the service.

The money means the PCT can employ two part-time nurses dedicated to helping homeless people and buy equipment.

St Luke’s has been up and running for many years, helping up to 80 people a day.

In 2006 a health session was established, with a walk-in system instead of appointments to provide basic healthcare.

Homeless people often struggle to access services, many have no GP and can reach crisis point before seeking help.

They face significant risks to their health, including poor nutrition, lack of hygiene facilities and cold and damp living environments.

The clinic is every Tuesday, seeing around 10 people, with a podiatry session on Thursdays.

To celebrate the cash award — and get feedback from homeless people about how they would like to see the service developed — an open day will take place on Tuesday, November 10.

District nurse Joanne Munro, who runs the sessions with health visitor Julie Draper, said: “The health drop-in has been a huge success and as a result we have received more funding.

“The aim of the open day is for service users to find out more about what we offer and give us feedback on what would be useful.”

The organisation will use the feedback to develop the service further.

The open day will be held between 10am and 3pm and visitors will be able to talk to health professionals and get advice, find out about services and discuss access problems.

Anyone with an interest in improving services for homeless people can attend.

cherry.thomas@theboltonnews.co.uk