The Homeless Health Service provides trauma-informed, person-centred healthcare for people experiencing homelessness across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, helping to improve access to services and health outcomes.
Meet the Team
- Rachael Swift – Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- Jane Rhodes – Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- Sue Barlow – Associate Practitioner
Working in partnership with local organisations, GP practices and hospital teams, we use a proactive outreach model to engage with people who may otherwise face significant barriers to healthcare. Patients can access the service directly without the need for a referral. The service is open to anyone aged 18 and over who is experiencing homelessness. By meeting people where they are, we help reduce health inequalities and improve access to essential healthcare.
We recognise that people experiencing homelessness may have experienced trauma, exclusion and multiple disadvantage. Building trust and meaningful relationships is at the heart of what we do. We take time to listen, understand individual circumstances and work alongside people to improve their health and wellbeing.
Our service supports people with a wide range of health and social needs, including physical health conditions, substance misuse, mental ill health and other complex challenges. We work closely with accommodation providers, support agencies and partner agencies to provide coordinated, joined-up care. By working across health, housing and social care, we help people navigate services, overcome barriers and access the support they need at the right time.
We also work closely with UHNM to support safe and coordinated hospital discharge, helping to reduce avoidable admissions and preventable readmissions. We continue to support people as they move between hospital, accommodation and community settings, ensuring continuity of care and engagement.
Health inclusion is central to our approach. We are committed to ensuring that people experiencing homelessness have equitable access to healthcare and are not excluded from the services they need. The ongoing development of the service is informed by the experiences, voices and feedback of the people we support, helping us continually improve and respond to the needs of our patients.