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Published: 22 December, 2015
HOMELESS people across Manchester have welcomed a healthcare initiative as part of their breakfast café.
gtd healthcare visited the Booth Centre in central Manchester to offer homeless people or those at risk of homelessness who visit the day centre, with a free flu vaccine to help protect them over the winter months.
The visit was part of gtd healthcare’s ongoing effort to improve the health of vulnerable people who may not be aware of the vaccine or how to access it.
Alison Martin, advanced nurse practitioner at gtd healthcare’s City Health Centre, said 20 people received the flu vaccine and another visit is planned in the New Year.
"The uptake from the people at the Booth Centre was fantastic and it’s great to play a part in trying to help prevent them from getting ill over the winter months,” she said.
"Offering the vaccine as a drop-in at the Booth Centre’s breakfast café was a great opportunity as it was really busy and enabled us to encourage a number of people to have the vaccine.”
"Some of the people who received the vaccine had serious underlying health conditions and if they contracted flu, could face serious consequences. This demonstrates how important these visits are as it enables us to reach out to those who otherwise would be unlikely to be vaccinated.
"We will be visiting the Booth Centre again on Tuesday, 5 January, and we are looking forward to meeting more people who want to protect themselves over the winter months.”
City Health Centre provides GP and nurse-led services for registered and walk-in patients and is innovative in its approach to healthcare. The centre is committed to providing services that are designed around the patients’ needs and allocates a number of dedicated daily appointments for the homeless.
Amanda Croome MBE, Booth Centre chief executive officer, said "At the Booth Centre we are delighted that homeless people are getting access to flu vaccines as they are often in poor health and we don't want them getting the flu while they are living on the streets or in temporary accommodation where it could spread quickly."
City Health Centre has already visited the Stock Exchange to offer the flu vaccine and is also working on a number of proactive initiatives with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Foundation in Manchester, including providing flu clinics for people with HIV and sexual health clinics. Furthermore, a team of staff at City Health Centre are working hard to distribute personal hygiene gifts for homeless people in the city over the Christmas period.
