Increase in number of people who had access to a program with an embedded health service
Summary
- Integrating health and housing supports is hugely beneficial for people experiencing homelessness, as poor health is both a cause and consequence of homelessness. We embed health support in many of our programs, making it easier for clients to access care.
- 2,350 clients accessed a program with a nurse
- 169 onsite treatments for acute injuries and health incidents.
Analysis
Nurses play a key role in providing holistic care through our programs
We are primarily a housing and homelessness service, yet many of our core programs successfully integrate healthcare into our homelessness response to improve outcomes for our clients. Nurses working alongside homelessness service providers improve access to primary and community healthcare, and eases pressure on our emergency departments.
Last financial year, we had 10 programs with embedded nurses and healthcare providers:
- Better Health and Housing Program
- Melbourne Street to Home
- Rough Sleepers and Assertive Outreach Programs
- Elizabeth Street Common Ground Supportive Housing
- Homelessness to a Home
- Southbank Crisis Supported Accommodation
- Launch Housing East St Kilda Crisis Accommodation
- Bob’s Place Crisis Accommodation
- South Melbourne Crisis Accommodation
- Cornelia Program
Additionally, our Housing and Mental Health Pathways Program supports acute mental health patients with a history of homelessness.
“It’s really important that we work together because they don’t just have one need – they have a mixture of social, mental and physical needs and this requires a holistic team to address all these needs.”
– Program Nurse
Within a six-month period, at our Elizabeth Street Common Ground and Southbank sites, nurses have conducted:
- 169 interventions for treatment of acute injuries and health incidents onsite.
- 100 interventions for sexual health, pregnancy and family planning.
- More than 1,500 instances of other support (including formal appointments, referrals, informal supports and interactions)
During these six months, having nursing support onsite meant that 27 ambulance callouts were directly avoided, saving the health system at least $29,700.
Secure housing means clients have a safe space to focus on their health
Housing is good healthcare. This year’s annual survey of residents in Launch Housing’s long-term and supportive housing programs demonstrates how essential housing is for a person’s physical and mental health.
“Having housing stability has done so much for my mental and physical health.”
– Client
When surveyed, 64% felt that their home enabled them to look after their mental health, and 68% felt their home enabled them to look after their physical health.
With secure housing, residents also were able to plan their futures, with 84% agreeing that having a home allowed them to plan for the future.
Demographics
- Women comprised 40% of those with access to a nurse in their case management program
- First Nations clients comprised 19% of those with access to a nurse in their case management program
Looking ahead
Not only does integrating health and housing supports deliver significant benefits for people experiencing homelessness, but it also has significant cost savings for the health system. It’s a solution that we know works.
Integrated health and homelessness programs will remain a large part of what we do, however currently, they are primarily funded by philanthropic partners. To ensure long term outcomes can be achieved, over the coming year we will explore other ways to sustainably fund our healthcare supports and collaborate with like-minded healthcare providers alongside our excellent existing healthcare partners. To find out more, see our Health and Wellbeing Theme