The newly established Newham Homeless Team has been launched as part of the borough's hospital homelessness care project.
With a specific focus on the health needs of homeless people admitted to Newham University Hospital (NUH) the service is the first of its kind for the Extended Primary Care Team, part of ELFT Newham's Community Health Services (CHS). The team comprises Homeless Project Worker Senior Practitioner Josephine Darko and Senior Practitioner Homeless Project worker, Lisa Amin.
Partnership working is key to the way the team operates to support homeless people. Partners include the council’s housing team, the Homeless Prevention Advice services (HPAS), the GP Transitional Team, Adult Social Services as well as the Integrated Discharge Hub and NUH colleagues themselves.
By working together to achieve shared outcomes, reductions in delays to hospital discharges, A & E attendance and unscheduled admissions are made possible.
On the establishment of the team, Josephine said:
“The establishment of the Homeless Team is such a positive challenge, and I’m really pleased to be involved. Improving the lives of our homeless clients is the spur, and that means all of us working together as partners to create change.”
Newham’s CHS Homelessness project Service Lead Raguraman Padmanabhan said:
“The team has an innovative approach to solving problems and comprises some very experienced and dynamic colleagues who understand the intricacies of partnership working.
"By increasing referrals, we can really help to ensure some of the most vulnerable people in our community get the right help and support they need to live healthier lives.”