The London PathwayHomeless Team at UCLH

 

Brief Update 2010

The London Pathway and Innovation First hospital based nurse specialising in

homeless health care First GP led ward rounds for homeless patients

(or any patient group) in a hospital setting First regular hospital based multiagency

meetings to develop care plans for homeless patients

First regular inclusion of voluntary sector hostel support, street outreach, drug and alcohol inreach, mental health services, social services, housing options and hospital staff in multi-agency care planning

The London Pathway and Outcomes Average duration of unscheduled admissions for homeless

patients at University College Hospital reduced by 3.2 days per patient 

Projected annual net savings of £300,000 for the health community following application of the London Pathway at UCH 

Appropriate durations of stay increased with double the number of homeless patients staying 6-10 days 

Savings mainly generated by reducing the number of homeless patients staying longer than 30 days from 14% to 3% 

Weekly multi-agency care planning meetings for complex homeless patients implemented 

Total proportion of homeless patients discharged with multi-agency care plans increased tenfold from 3.5% to 35% 

Care planning extended to include homeless frequent attenders at A&E and homeless patients referred for routine surgery 

Where liaison psychiatric assessments carried out, proportion summarised in discharge letter increased from 33% to 75%

The London Pathway and Replication Simple care plan defined, aim to encourage other Acute

Trusts to adopt this approach Objective 1 - Think Homelessness! Check housing status for all patients on admission. If

homeless or temporary housing refer to the Homeless Health Practitioner

Objective 2 - Homeless Team Coordinate Care Patient seen by Homeless Health Practitioner, visited by the

Homeless Ward Round, needs assessed and Homeless Care Plan started.  

Objective 3 Care Plan Meeting Complex needs cases referred to weekly Homeless Paper

Ward Round for multi-agency Care Plan and Sanctuary assessment.

Objective 4 Community Support HHP refers to Care Navigator Team & assesses need for

Sanctuary Placement (ongoing medical needs and complex case). 

The London Pathway & Next Steps Care Navigator team, move from pilot to full

service People with an experience of homelessness

offering mentoring, befriending and on-going support after discharge

Joining the ward round with status of Hospital Volunteers

Supported by a Care Navigator coordinator Recruited and paid as 6 month apprentices by

Street League Funding needed to develop the role of care

navigator coordinator