Homeless Health
A unique partnership between West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian was established in 2000 .The overarching aim of the Homeless Health Team is to improve and maintain the mental health and well-being of homeless people.
A unique partnership between West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian was established in 2000 .The overarching aim of the Homeless Health Team is to improve and maintain the mental health and well-being of homeless people.
What the team does
Provide a flexible outreach service to people who have concerns about their mental health and are homeless or at risk of homelessness in West Lothian.
Who can access this service
The service is available to people in West Lothian :
- Who have concerns about their mental health and are currently homeless
- Who are at risk of becoming homeless and not engaged with services
- All agencies who support homeless people
Our main objectives are:
- To meet mental health and wellbeing needs of homeless people
- Provide assessment and implement planned nurse intervention and mental health support to people whilst in temporary accommodation
- Identify mainstream agencies which are best placed to meet the mental health needs of those who are homeless
- To ensure vulnerable people receive a service they are entitled to
- Improve support and advise on health issues to those working with homeless people
- Provide health promotion and education on mental health and wellbeing for clients and those supporting them
- Network and promote our service
Referral Process
Referrals can be made by anyone - professional, a family member or by the individual.
The way we work:
- Two Community Psychiatric Nurses
- Provide information and education on mental health issues for clients and support staff
- Provide practical support to encourage clients to signpost and engage with other agency support
- Provide support for family members and relevant other
- Provide psychosocial interventions
- Work with clients to enhance coping strategies
- Work with clients to identify stressors and problem solving
- Health promotion events
Service Standards
The Homeless Health team are committed to delivering a service of care, in a flexible manner, tailored to the individual needs of the clients.
We will:
- Undertake a formal assessment of identified goals and provide a care plan for each client
- Correspond with GPs to establish links with mainstream service
- Review clients care needs on each visit
- ·Liaise with other support agencies, adhering to agreement with client to provide a comprehensive service
- Request consent to share relevant information, to enable best service, advising clients of what we will share
Information will not be shared without permission except in circumstances such as: