‘We try and keep people alive’

Oxford Mail interviews Luther Street staff on providing services to people experiencing homelessness.

‘We try and keep people alive’

An article in the Oxford Times gives a behind-the-scenes view of the award-winning Luther Street Medical Centre, which offers specialist medical care to people experiencing homelessness in Oxford.

Stephen Moore, Luther Street’s practice manager, said: “A human being walks through the door, and its our job to provide (care) regardless of who they are.”

People experiencing homelessness are more likely to need to attend A&E and need acute care.

Stephen said, “We try to keep alive and get them to understand how to manager their own issues.”

Eve Gibb, who recently retired from Luther Street after having worked with Oxford’s homeless population for 30 years, said: “You have to remember that for the people we see, 47 is old – 47 is and age you can die on the street, and we are keeping people alive.”

In 2016, the centre was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, which monitors health standards in England and Wales.

A month earlier, Luther Street learnt that its innovative way of working could be replicated across the country, as part of a the blueprint of a national dentistry care model following a visit from NHS England.

Read more about the work the centre does in the Oxford Times.

 

Read more about other stories about the Luther Street Medical Centre:

Sleeping under the spires

Goodbye Eve: Luther Street bids farewell to long-serving nurse

All smiles following ‘Outstanding’ care rating

Ground-breaking service for homeless people could inspire national model

Homeless health centre praised by inspectors

Health for the homeless: celebrating 30 years

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Published: 5 January 2017