Clinical room opens at drop-in supporting homeless community

Clinical room opens at drop-in providing health care to homeless community

The Salvation Army has officially opened a new clinical room in its Blackburn drop-in providing extra support to the local community experiencing homelessness. 

Based at The Salvation Army’s homeless health and wellbeing hub, Phoenix Hub, located on Clayton Street, the clinical room will be used by medical professionals to provide outreach healthcare to people who are street homeless or in temporary accommodation within Blackburn, and will include smear testing, liver scans, blood testing and wound care.

In partnership with NHS Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, Brook Sexual Health Clinic, Public Health department at Lancashire Council and Spark Drug and Alcohol Support, the clinical room will be in operation five days a week, Monday to Friday, and people will also have the opportunity to either be referred to their GP or register with one. 

Sandra Skellern, The Salvation Army’s specialist support worker for Phoenix Hub said: “The homeless community and people in times of crisis overcome struggles daily, channelling their energy and willpower into sometimes just getting up in the morning and so accessing medical services or sticking to and attending appointments can be difficult. 

“Phoenix Hub is their safe space, and we wanted to ensure that we could provide a range of services under one roof to support people in their journey through and out of homelessness, with outreach healthcare being a key priority, providing them with the support they need to improve their health and in turn their lives.”

The room within Phoenix Hub underwent an intense refurbishment programme, incorporating the same specifications as in a GP surgery, with non-slip flooring installed, stronger lighting and clinical equipment such as a medical bed.

Sandra added: “The Salvation Army is committed to putting the needs of the people we support first, ensuring that they are given everything they need to make positive changes in their lives including easier access to healthcare services. We’re proud that, along with our partners, we can offer this service. We know that the clinical room and the appointments that will take place in there will not only be a lifeline to many people in our community, but it will also save lives.”

Phoenix Hub is a one-stop shop for every service that people experiencing homelessness may need, bringing together an optician, Hepatitis C nurse, housing needs team from the local council and a substance misuse team - all under one easy-to-access roof. People are also able to access a clothing bank, washing machine and drier, a hot breakfast, showering facilities and emergency food parcels.

Run by The Salvation Army and supported by volunteers, the church and charity has worked together with the local council and Lancashire-based health organisations to create the health and wellbeing service for the town’s most vulnerable people, including people forced to sleep rough, sofa surfers and people in temporary accommodation.

The Salvation Army has a Just Giving page, dedicated specifically to its work at Phoenix Hub which can be found at www.justgiving.com/page/phoenix-hub-the-salvation-army.