The London Pathway project, based at University College Hospital, is giving homeless people access to proper healthcare and saving the NHS hundreds-of thousands-of-pounds in the process.
UCH admits about 250 homeless patients every year. Homeless patients cost eight times more than the housed population for unscheduled care, use casualty six times more and are admitted four times as often, staying in hospital twice as long. The challenge of treating homeless patients is that they experience ‘tri-morbidity’ – physical and mental ill health and substance misuse. The key to the success of The London Pathway has been in forging partnerships. Ward rounds by specialists bring together the work of social workers, physiotherapists, drug and alcohol workers, psychiatrists, housing representatives, primary care teams, and discharge sisters; and coordinate care for the complex needs of homeless people. We need more funding to design and communicate a detailed blueprint – so that other hospitals can see for themselves the benefits of the model. If this is properly constructed and implemented, the savings to the NHS will easily cover the running costs – so in the long term, each project should be self-sustaining, and homeless people better served by the health service.
Your donation can help us to improve healthcare for homeless people across the UK, not just at UCH. Read more at www.londonpathway.org.uk
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to support the project : University College London Hospitals Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
Thank you!
