Andy Burnham learns of Rochdale’s role in protecting the homeless

Date published: 21 March 2019

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, visited Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday (20 March 2019) to learn how Rochdale’s Homeless Alliance Response Team (HART) are helping those throughout the borough who are homeless.

HART is a service manned by qualified GPs, nurses and allied health professionals, including therapists and mental health workers, who volunteer their clinical services to support the scheme and help the homeless in Rochdale. It was set up in 2018 using a one-off allocation of £50,000 given to the organisers - Rochdale Healthcare Alliance - from Heywood Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group.

Stalls were on display by organisations who work in partnership with HART to provide vital services to the homeless in the borough. Those in attendance included Angie’s Angels, Rochdale Health Alliance, Petrus, Rochdale and District Mind, Rochdale Soup Kitchen, Limes Housing, Feeding Rochdale Homeless and the Sexual Health Outreach Team.

Mayor Burnham commented at Rochdale Town Hall: “I was so lifted when I came into this room today because everyone is pulling in the same direction and that is supporting and helping each other to build a better life for the homeless. We make a bigger difference when we work together.

“It is about simple humanity and doing the right thing. We’re wealthy enough as a country to put a roof over someone’s head every night of every week; making everyone feel safe, warm and loved, and that’s the bottom line. It’s about giving what I think should be everyone’s human right – having a roof over their head.

“People are dying on British streets in 2019 and it is wrong. We can change it and we are changing it.

“I am so proud and grateful to each and every one of the organisations working in Rochdale for pulling together in this crisis. I am so pleased to be here and hear about everything you are doing.

“The scheme is a real credit to Rochdale.”

Steve Rumbelow, Chief Executive at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “I think what this event demonstrates is how well served Rochdale is in the range of organisations we have that address homelessness in the borough.

“These are committed organisations and volunteers who really do change lives for the better throughout the town and I thank them for it.”

Mayor Zaman said: “We have so many volunteers in Rochdale who carry out this work in their own time. I am so proud that Rochdale is setting an example of alliance with everyone working together for the same outcome.

“Thank you to Mayor Burnham who came to the town hall to meet all the people who provide such a valued service to those who need it and thank you to the local residents who are doing their best to build a better community.

“I hope this event encourages more to get involved and make a big difference.”

Jackie Taylor, Head of Clinical Services at Rochdale Health Alliance, said: “We are heartened at the response we have had from the homeless community who really value this service. We have seen a variety of health needs and wound care seems to be particularly needed.

“We are playing an important role in minimising the need for homeless people to visit the urgent care centre and other services when they don’t need to. HART is now partnering with the Greater Manchester mayor’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ programme in support of health needs for homeless people in the Rochdale borough.

“HART is now an integral part of the wider volunteer and charity response network within Rochdale, who were also invited to showcase their activities at today’s GM Mayoral visit.”

Since the start of the HART programme in April 2018, 75 prescriptions have been issued, 85 clinical reviews have been done, 60 dressings have been applied and 70 onward referrals have been made – all to homeless people who would otherwise have had no help with their medical problem.

There are now over 80 homeless people who are seen by HART volunteers on a regular basis and they are supported and signposted to other services as needed.

The free service includes:

• Face to face advice and assessments
• Health screening such as blood pressure and pulse testing
• Measuring weight
• Medication and prescription reviews
• Wound care
• Vaccinations

Over the last 11 months, the service has forged links with other specialist outreach health services such as sexual health services, MIND and Turning Point.

The service runs out of the Champness Hall soup kitchen where sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings offer routine health monitoring, support and advice.

A further £10,000 has been awarded to continue the vital service for this vulnerable group, who can have complex physical and mental health needs and who do not access regular services.

If you are a healthcare professional and wish to find out more about how you can volunteer to join the HART scheme, please contact Jackie Taylor, Head of Clinical Services at Rochdale Health Alliance.

• Email: jackietaylor4@nhs.net

Andy Burnham spoke on Rochdale's role in helping the homeless