BCP Council has received funding from central government to offer health and social support to homeless or vulnerable residents across the conurbation who have been discharged from emergency care.

A total of £640,000 has been awarded by the Department of Health and Social Care to help reduce inequalities in health and social care by providing out-of-hospital care for homeless residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Many homeless residents who are discharged from hospital continue to rough sleep or be at high risk of losing their temporary accommodation and are often admitted back to emergency care.

The funding will contribute towards a multi-disciplinary approach offering care and support for homeless patients, many of whom are frequent attendees in the emergency departments.

Lead member for Homelessness at BCP Council Councillor Hazel Allen said: “We are committed to working with our partners to ensure equitable access to health, social care and housing services for our homeless population.

“This will ensure there is a consistent approach to meet the needs of all homeless patients across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole by improving the clinical and social care needs of homeless patients once out in the community and therefore reducing incidents of emergency hospital admissions.

“We hope that our partnership working will help to break the cycle of people returning to the streets, supporting them into secure and long-term accommodation.”

It is hoped the funding will also help those who are unable to engage with services due to barriers caused by mental health or substance misuse.

Health and Social care partners will work to ensure health care, accommodation and clinical needs are met for the patients, improving the transfer of care from hospital and therefore reducing the number of re-admissions to emergency care.

It is hoped the funding will also help those who are unable to engage with services due to barriers caused by mental health or substance misuse.

Health and Social care partners will work to ensure health care, accommodation and clinical needs are met for the patients, improving the transfer of care from hospital and therefore reducing the number of re-admissions to emergency care.

The council is working with partners in the Health Action Group, including BCP Council Housing, Adult Social Care and Drug & Alcohol Commissioning services, and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, to direct the funding to the most vulnerable.

The Health Action Group is involved in the Homeless Care Pathway scheme, where health and social care teams work closely to identify homeless residents once they are admitted to emergency care and provide them with support and care both during their stay and when they are back out in the community.

The Homeless Care Pathway is currently running as a pilot scheme at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. This funding will ensure that this service will be extended to both Bournemouth and Poole hospitals.