Developing Health & Independence’s Homeless in Hospital Discharge Team has been recognised for their patient-centred and compassionate care by RUH colleagues, who nominated them in appreciation of the difference they make.
Matt Hanna and Stuart Hannis, who are based at the RUH, work with agencies to support people who are well enough to leave hospital but have been identified as having housing needs. They help patients access the support they need and find a safe place to stay.
For example, in a recent case, the team identified that a patient was at risk of trafficking and exploitation, and were able to secure safe accommodation for him in a different area. The client thanked the team, saying they helped him feel safe, cared for and “like a human”.
“I love this work because every day when you come into the hospital, you don’t know what kinds of cases are waiting for you,” says Stuart. “You see a different view of society.”
As part of their morning routine, Stuart and Matt visit patients identified as being homeless on the wards and ask a range of questions to determine whether there is a duty to refer them to the homelessness services of their local authority.
Stuart has previously worked for DHI’s Reach and Outreach housing and homelessness services, giving him a strong understanding of the issues faced by the patients he supports, as well as a detailed overview of the many agencies and local authorities he collaborates with.
“Often we’ll see people who aren’t from Bath, and we’ll have to identify which local authorities we need to contact, as they won’t be eligible for housing support in B&NES,” says Stuart. “I’ve supported people from as far afield as Manchester.”
“We can always rely on Stuart to piece together the puzzle,” says Louisa Gale, a Sister on the gastroenterology ward, who adds that it can be difficult to find out details of some patients’ backgrounds. The team works closely with medical staff from this ward, as well as the alcohol liaison team, to find appropriate community treatment and support for patients affected by drug and alcohol misuse.
“We may also mediate with families if we’re working with a young person,” says Stuart. “It’s a multidisciplinary approach which can involve a lot of different people, so you need to know what to do in each case and who to make referrals to.
“I’ve been doing the job for a while, so I have an instinct about what may be going on. It’s about triaging and asking the right questions,” he adds.
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