Since July 2020, the Supporting People team at Caerphilly Council have worked in partnership with Oakfield GP Surgery in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Cornerstone Support Services to set up an enhanced GP service in the Caerphilly County Borough for homeless individuals.
Cornerstone and POBL are commissioned by Caerphilly Council’s Supporting People team who manage the Welsh Government Housing Support Grant.
As a result of the work undertaken through this partnership, an enhanced GP service at Oakfield Street GP practice in Ystrad Mynach commenced in September last year.
The service has highlighted the complex needs of vulnerable, homeless clients living in Caerphilly.
As part of the service, a new patient registration clinic is held once a week, the service is managed by Rebecca Bullingham, Advanced nurse Practitioner. Appointments are easily arranged via a phone call or email. Cornerstone work hard to encourage rough sleepers to engage with this service and if necessary they will accompany the rough sleeper and even offer transportation in order to remove any barriers in accessing this important service.
The initial appointment includes a full overall health assessment, covering blood borne viruses, mental health needs, general health inclusive of feet, skin, any acute issues i.e. infection, pneumonia, alcohol/substances intake and support.
Once registered, the surgery will guarantee a same day for urgent health needs.
Andrew Clarke, Cornerstone CEO, said: “This is a ground-breaking service and the first within the Caerphilly Borough. At Cornerstone we want to truly break the link between ill-health and homelessness – we work in an innovative way with CCBC Supporting People and other partners to meet the need of homeless individuals, and the Housing Support Grant allows us to do this.”
Rebecca Bullingham RGN, MSc, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Oakfield Surgery, added: “As a practice we set up an enhanced health service for homeless patients in Caerphilly Borough to address an unmet need indicated by the Supporting People team.”
She continued: “This service was set with an aim to enable easy and equitable access to General Medical Services to some of the Boroughs most vulnerable residents. All of our registered homeless patients have offered a COVID-19 vaccine and due to expedited schedules, we are able to offer the second dose to this group of patients.”
Cllr. Lisa Phipps, Cabinet Member for Homes and Propety said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved in its development, including our Supporting People team, Oakfield Street surgery and Cornerstone. I would also like to thank Pobl Group who, since November 2020, have also been offering weekly drop-in sessions with a Housing Support Worker.”
If you’re struggling to keep your home, are at risk of losing your job or need help with your finances please get in touch with the Supporting People team on 01443 864548, [email protected]
