How to create Headroom
If you think there is a need in your area for better access for homeless groups or if you are already engaging with homeless groups but would like to free up some head room in order to facilitate outreach or other services then you might follow this rough 6-step guide:
Of course, this is just a rough guide and one suggestion, where many possible routes will be possible. We hope you find it helpful and would welcome your feedback about your own experiences on the FEEDBACK page.
- Look at the STANDARDS FOR COMMISSIONERS from the Faculty of Homeless & Inclusion Health
- Remember that you can already justify the national need so try to identify and prove the local need by approaching local homeless charities and asking them for their existing data about homelessness in the area. You could also consider referencing the JOINT STRATEGIC NEEDS ASSESSMENT (JSNA) done by your LOCAL COUNCIL (which has statistics on housing related issues and homelessness in every area but - BE WARNED - the JSNA's are often criticised for being inaccurate UNDERestimates of the issue).
- Find a named person at commissioning level responsible for reducing health inequalities and try to meet them to establish what each person is aiming for and what might be needed to move things forward. Consider the data that might be useful to bring to this meeting, such as any data gathered in step 2, or the number of patients on your list with no fixed abode or the number of A&E attendances from homeless patients in a specific time period.
- Compose a BUSINESS CASE (perhaps with the help of the commissioners or commissioning support unit) to present to your CCG/Commissioners. Remember you will need to define 'homelessness' for the purposes of any service as a register of patients will need to be kept.
- Liase with the LOCAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES to know exactly what's available for this group in your area.
- Collect data and audit your register of homeless patients to help justify your service (some ideas include recording the number of appointments (engagement) at the surgery, the number of A&E attendances before and after the service was introduced or if any changes were made, recording the number of shelter occupants vaccinated against influenza).
Of course, this is just a rough guide and one suggestion, where many possible routes will be possible. We hope you find it helpful and would welcome your feedback about your own experiences on the FEEDBACK page.
References
Standards for Commissioners and Service Providers. The Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health. 2013. http://primaryhomelesshealthcare.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/4/6/38469717/standards-for-commissioners-providers-v2.0-interactive.pdf
Standards for Commissioners and Service Providers. The Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health. 2013. http://primaryhomelesshealthcare.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/4/6/38469717/standards-for-commissioners-providers-v2.0-interactive.pdf