Hospital in-reach.
The Royal Perth Hospital Homeless Team (RPH HT) is a collaboration between Royal Perth Hospital, Ruah Community Services and Homeless Healthcare. It improves outcomes for homeless patients by:
supporting patients admitted to hospital
improved discharge planning
linking them with Homeless Healthcare and community based services
“The RPH Homeless Team provides a vital service in advocating for this disenfranchised and marginalised group of patient in RPH; as they invariably have some form of mental health issues. This has led to a synergistic relationship between the Homeless Team and the Consultation- Liaison Psychiatric & Emergency Department mental health services; which has resulted in positive interventions in the life of these patients. The Homeless Team has also provided assistance in discharge planning for these patients”
- Dr Nigel Armstrong, Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist RPH
“I had a lot of admissions to RPH when I was homeless and when I wasn't. A round 2015 when I went to RPH for medical assistance I was turned away from emergency, this was because I had no fixed address. I understood that a lot of homeless people went to RPH just for minor medical issues and wanted a night of the streets, but I had some serious medical issues that needed a hospital stay. In 2016/17 I had to go to RPH for some medical issues and there was a new approach to the homeless. It was a big relief to have the Homeless Healthcare team at the hospital, I felt reassured that I would have the medical care that I needed, they were a friendly face who knew me and my circumstances. It is really hard when you have to repeat your story and explain why you are homeless to the nurses and doctors at RPH, so having the homeless Healthcare Team at RPH made a big difference to me, when I needed medical help”.
– RPH Peer Advocate
Case Study: Complex Health needs of Homeless Team patient
Susan is a woman in her fifties who spent one year rough sleeping in the Perth CBD due to eviction from her previous accommodation. Susan has a complex history including mental health issues, sexual assault and trauma, domestic violence, loss and substance use marked with chronic unstable housing and intermittent homelessness for several years. Susan was admitted to RPH in 2018 with severe spinal issues.
Throughout hospitalisation and outpatient treatment, the RPH Homeless Team engaged with Susan to conduct a referral to older women’s' transitional accommodation for supported accommodation, provide assistance for the intake process and aid in emergency relief resources to assist in daily living needs. Post- hospitalisation, Susan was linked with a Community Service Intensive Housing program for three-month case management support in the community.
Since housed in supported accommodation Susan has been able to maintain regular appointments with the HHC clinic to receive assistance in the management of her health issues and is engaging meaningfully with community groups. Susan continues to receive ongoing assistance with daily living tasks such as shopping and cleaning. Case management support in the community has allowed her to build positive physical and emotional health practices and look for appropriate longer-term housing options for her family.