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Job overview

Do you want to be feel satisfaction and reward in delivering care to address and improve health inequalities to individuals with diverse and complex needs?

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work with and contribute to reducing health inequalities for the homeless and migrant population in Croydon. This is achieved through working in a primary care role to assess and identify needs for this population.

In Croydon we have a well-established nurse led primary care service for the homeless and migrant population.  This includes rough sleepers, those accommodated in hotels, hostels, temporary initial accommodation, bed and breakfast accommodation as well as sofa surfers.

The team offer a specialised holistic service tailored to meet the specific health needs of this group. The homeless health team is integrated and consists of a team of primary care practitioners, midwife, health visitor, GP as well as support staff.

Outreach activities are provided in collaboration with specific voluntary groups enabling provision of care where we know these clients access.

Applicants should have the motivation and enthusiasm in learning and developing new skills to work in a friendly supportive team within a challenging and demanding environment. Experience in this area is desirable but not essential as on the job training will be provided. A mentor will be assigned to guide and support development of new skills.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to work as an integral part of the Homeless Health Team under the direction of the Lead Nurse. To promote and support the health and wellbeing of all homeless clients to be able to maximise their full health potential. Practitioners will work to deliver an inclusive service, and provide an accessible outreach service to meet the needs of this client group.

The aim is to provide a service specific to homeless individuals within the local authority catchment. The role will include a range of activities addressing the individual health and wellbeing, and improve the overall health inequalities using:
- Health promotion
- General Health screening
- Engagement in Primary Care services and facilitate access to organised health care

The purpose of this role will be imperative in improving integrated pathways to prevent fragmented services that are efficient and effective. The service will provide essential health promotion to increase the number of residents engaging with services to address their health and wellbeing. Furthermore, the aim of the service will be to reduce hospital admissions, health inequalities and improve pathways with community and hospital services. The service should increase access to preventative and non emergency health care; this will include health promotion, health checks and accessing mainstream services.

Working for our organisation

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity. 

Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We’re also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people’s homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and our Children’s Hospital at Home cares for children with long-term conditions without them having to come to hospital. 

Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we’re no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff. As well as offering access to a range of core skills training and professional development.