The physical health problems typically associated with rough sleeping can include pneumonia, bronchitis, trench foot, frostbite, wound infections, and respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Recovery from these conditions - invaluable in itself - can also lead to an improvement in mental wellbeing.
We work in partnership with local health services to provide hostel-based GPs and nurses' surgeries. We also have teams of specialist workers who help people with their mental health and substance use issues.
In 2006/07 we introduced the role of Health Champion to our accommodation projects - members of staff with additional responsibility for any health issues. They work in partnership with statutory services to ensure that clients are accessing all services available, and to raise awareness of the health issues affecting homeless people.
To find out how you can work with us to help us deliver health services to more homeless men and women, contact our regional health coordinators Erika Narkiewicz at erika.narkiewicz@mungos.org or Bernadine Flavius at bflavius@mungos.org
Homeless Healthcare is St Mungo's new community interest company, established in 2010 in partnership with the Great Chapel St GP service, to offer expertise and services around healthcare for homeless people.
We also recognise that our clients may come to us at a point when they could be approaching the end of their life. In 2009 we began working with Marie Curie Cancer Care on an award-nominatd St Mungo's Palliative Care service to help us support clients at this time of their lives with dignity and choice, as well as training our staff working with them. We have also contributed to national palliative care publications on this topic, for example, through the Dying Matters coalition.
Find out more:
Our health campaign
Homelessness: It makes you sick
Documents
St Mungo's health strategy
Homelessness It makes you sick summary report