East London NHS Foundation Trust

The Homeless and Vulnerable Person Outreach Service team was formed in May 2020. This was in response to the 'Everyone In' government policy initiative, implemented to provide temporary accommodation for everyone experiencing rough sleeping and a range of other forms of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary aim of this initiative was to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on people facing homelessness and prevent deaths. The team successfully managed to connect and build relationships with historically non-engaging patients or patients not registered with The Greenhouse Practice (Hackney), Newham Transitional Practice (Newham), or Health E1 (Tower Hamlets) within two years, while providing health-related interventions, improving their quality of life, and making access easier. The team also looks after asylum seekers across the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, and City & Hackney and refugees under the Afghan resettlement scheme in the City of London. The HVPOS team is proud to say that they have been laying the foundations to address health inequalities in primary care and improve access for anyone struggling with rough sleeping or any other forms of homelessness.

Nominated by: Dame Meg Hillier DBE MP