Home / Health / New NHS App Aids Surrey's Rough Sleepers
New NHS App Aids Surrey's Rough Sleepers
10 Oct
Summary
- A new NHS app offers dedicated drug and alcohol support.
- The service meets individuals in the community, not just appointments.
- It provides one-to-one support, vaccinations, and testing.
A new NHS app, the Rough Sleeping Service, has been launched in Surrey to assist individuals experiencing rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness. This service, operated by i-access in partnership with Via, focuses on providing dedicated drug and alcohol addiction support by meeting people within their community, rather than requiring them to attend fixed appointments.
Katie Matthews from Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust highlighted the service's approach: "Our approach is about meeting people where they are, building trust and offering flexible support without judgement." Individuals will receive one-to-one support, including opioid substitute treatment, recovery assistance, and needle exchange programs.
Further health provisions include hepatitis B vaccinations and hepatitis C testing, along with support from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The service aims to guide individuals towards detox and long-term recovery. Self-referrals and professional referrals are accepted with consent. Dr. Jack Bedeman of Surrey County Council emphasized the critical need for such services due to the poor health outcomes faced by rough sleepers, noting that access to quality treatment can be life-changing and prevent avoidable deaths.
