A new homelessness training package for GP receptionists will be launched this week at Homelessness and Health, the annual international symposium of Pathway and the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health.
Over 70% of people who are homeless have physical health problems. Many are wrongly turned away from surgeries at the front desk because they do not have proof of address. People who are homeless attend A&E five times more often than the general population.
Everyone in the UK has a right to register with a GP, and proof of address is not required. The new video and training package is based upon current NHS England Guidance. It offers simple tips to support patients and shows how important a doctor can be for a person who has lost their home.
Pathway produced the package with Experts by Experience and actors from Cardboard Citizens, on behalf of the NHS Healthy London Partnership.
Click here to view the video and find out more