A new mobile GP service has launched to help the City of London’s homeless and rough sleepers. The City of London Corporation, which governs the Square Mile, has teamed up with Doctors of the World UK (DOTW), to run the service.
Volunteer GPs and nurses will offer advice on health conditions, register patients with local GP practices, dress wounds, carry out foot assessments, provide new socks and gloves and offer screenings for HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
DOTW, an independent humanitarian movement, which works to empower vulnerable people to access healthcare, is running the six month pilot, delivering primary healthcare to rough sleepers in the City.
Visitors will be offered hot drinks and refreshments, and referred to other support services, such as dentists, opticians, and drug and alcohol teams.
Homeless and rough sleeping women will be offered period products and referred to a women-only clinic. The pilot service will run on a weekly basis.
Marianne Fredericks, chairman of City of London Corporation’s health and wellbeing board said: “We know that rough sleepers experience a whole host of barriers when it comes to accessing proper healthcare.
“Doctors of the World provides fantastic support for the most vulnerable in our society, and this pioneering service will be invaluable for the Square Mile’s homeless population.
“Together we are supporting the them with medical care in a safe environment, and helping them get off the streets for good.”
