Freedom of Information Request: 0057 2019/20
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) completed a merger by acquisition of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) on 1st April 2018. Due to historical differences in data collection/reporting across UHB and the former Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust this response has been provided by hospital site.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
- How many attendances to your organisation were coded as NFA (no fixed address) per year in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018?
NFA A&E Attendances in 2015: 266
NFA A&E Attendances in 2016: 391
NFA A&E Attendances in 2017: 300
NFA A&E Attendances in 2018: 221
- Does your organisation have (a) a documented pathway for supporting homeless patients; or (b) a housing officer (or similar); or (c) a supply of clean clothes to offer homeless people? If yes to (a), (b), or (c) please provide details.
Clothing parcels available via the Faith centre, in addition to this, the Discharge Hub hold a basic supply of clothing.
For homeless people with care needs a TOC comes through to the Discharge Hub and they are then referred to Birmingham City Housing.
There is a pathway to the homeless and housing advice centre at Newtown.
Staff have access via the intranet, under complex discharge, to ward guidance on housing advice and support from Birmingham City Council.
- How many patient referrals to a local housing authority under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 has your organisation made since 1 October 2018?
We do not hold this information.
- What is your organisation doing, or planning to do, to support homeless patients or to comply with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017?
People who have housing, homelessness and care needs, have an assessment and are supported in their application by the Complex Discharge Team.
People who have housing or homelessness issues but no care and support needs are referred by ward teams, to the Homelessness and Housing Advice Service, B19 2SW. They are also given the details of the Homeless Health Xchange, a primary care service for Homeless people.
Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital
- How many attendances to your organisation were coded as NFA (no fixed address) per year in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018?
NFA A&E Attendances in 2015: 342
NFA A&E Attendances in 2016: 423
NFA A&E Attendances in 2017: 372
NFA A&E Attendances in 2018: 277
- Does your organisation have (a) a documented pathway for supporting homeless patients; or (b) a housing officer (or similar); or (c) a supply of clean clothes to offer homeless people? If yes to (a), (b), or (c) please provide details.
We have a documented pathway as part of the Discharge Hub Standard Operating Procedure.
There is a Band 7 Nurse Practitioner in post.
We are able to supply clothing, and access food parcels from charity. We are also able to access food parcels from Home from Hospital, who will also provide support post discharge.
- How many patient referrals to a local housing authority under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 has your organisation made since 1 October 2018?
15 by the Nurse Practitioner, 2 supported with Social Work team.
- What is your organisation doing, or planning to do, to support homeless patients or to comply with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017?
Internally – Nurse Practitioner signposts to all disciplines, such as addiction services, Psychiatric Liaison, Therapies within the hospital.
Externally – Nurse Practitioner able to access Primary care services, homeless services on a wider level, housing providers, Local Authority, addiction services and Mental Health services. Drop-in services to access food, clothing, showers and further social advice.
Nurse Practitioner has strong links with CRISIS and Shelter.
Nurse Practitioner provides advice and support to individuals and other disciplines.
Nurse Practitioner provides teaching and mentoring to nursing students, to raise awareness of homelessness and its impact on health.
Nurse Practitioner completes clinical and social assessments for Complex patients who are homeless/at risk of homelessness to support a safe, effective discharge.
