New fund aims to help nurses improve health of homeless people

Nurses planning projects to improve the health of homeless people will be able to apply for new funding.

Ten nurse-led projects will be awarded up to £5,000 each as part of a collaboration between the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and the Oak Foundation, an international organisation that works to address disadvantage.

The organisations are working together to support nurse education, leadership and innovation in the field of homelessness and health from May.

Professional network 

Funding will support a national network of health, housing and other professionals, and people who are or have been homeless, to attend regional learning and networking days about homelessness-related health issues.

Homeless people have high rates of poor physical and mental health and of drug and alcohol problems.

In a health audit by charity Homeless Link in 2014, almost three-quarters of homeless people reported a physical problem, and 80% said they had a mental health problem.

QNI chief executive Crystal Oldman said: ‘This new funding will enable the QNI to continue to support health professionals who work with those who do not have a secure home. The QNI works with innovative, skilled and passionate community nurses who design and deliver outreach and treatment clinics for some of the most vulnerable people in society.’

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