Page 21 - Community Health magazine - issue 38

How the service expanded

NHS Charities Together’s Community
Partnership Programme awarded
£323k to KCHFT to expand the Rough
Sleeper Service.
Dental and podiatry services are now
available alongside the complex care
outreach nurses who work with Dentaid,
Hepatitis C nurses, mental health services,
drug and alcohol prevention, local
authorities and other outreach services,
including charities such as Porchlight.
More than 1,734 treatments have been
provided across Maidstone, Tunbridge
Wells, Tonbridge, Medway, Folkestone,
Canterbury and Dover.

Tina now has a home decorated with her Homeless at 38-years-old, Paul Breeze has Paul, now 40, lives with partner Wendy
personal items, including pictures of her received physical, mental and dental support who was also supported by Claire. They are
four children and 12 grandchildren across through the Rough Sleeper Project. on the housing list waiting for a home they
the wall. She sleeps in her own bed with Paul said: “I had been sleeping rough for can share together.
colourful rugs on the floor and a small around three months before meeting Claire. They are both incredibly grateful for all
kitchen table in the corner. The friends I slept wherever I could around Maidstone the support they’ve received.
she’s made in the day centre have donated and together with physical ill-health, it made Paul said: “I’d encourage anyone to
blankets and other items, and Tina loves a my anxiety worse. I had a cyst on my face reach out if they need the support. The
charity shop bargain. which everyone would stare at, needed organisations are there to help you. I’d really
dental treatment and was really vulnerable. like to thank each of them for all they’ve
‘I walked away from a It was a terrible time.” done for me and my partner. They’ve helped
Now Paul too has a roof over his head me turn my life around.”
bad situation determined thanks to the Rough Sleeper Service, Claire said: “The project has shown it’s

to make things better.’ Maidstone Borough Council Outreach Team an invaluable service for those who need it.
and AMAT UK.
Patients often spoke of difficulty accessing
Paul added: “Claire helped me get the services due to fear, perceived stigma
She said: “Living on your own can be treatment I needed to get the cyst removed and discrimination. Some also felt their
lonely but I have my phone and I can call from my face, I have also visited the dental healthcare concerns wouldn’t be heard due
my kids anytime and often spend time with bus a couple of times. I didn’t realise all to being homeless or labelled as having
them. I’ve made a change for them. They these organisations were out there to help substance misuse problems.
are my world and I love them all.” you. They’ve been absolutely brilliant, I don’t “We have been able to show they are
The Rough Sleeper Service has provided know where I’d be today without Claire and being heard, they are valued and they
treatment for homeless people in west Kent all those who have helped.” deserve the right to healthcare.”
since 2019 and with the help of charitable
funding from NHS Charities Together’s
Community Partnership Programme, is
being expanded.
Claire led the project in west Kent and
is now helping to develop it to benefit the
homeless in Medway and east Kent and
has helped add podiatry and dental care to
the service.
The first dental clinic at the Dover
Outreach Centre saw 10 patients, with eight
receiving treatment and one tooth removal.
Claire said: “Some patients have not seen
a dentist for more than 30 years and have
resorted to pulling out their own teeth. Now
they are able to be seen in an environment
where they feel comfortable and have the
treatment they need.”

www.kentcht.nhs.uk 21