Arch Healthcare

Arch Health CIC was set up as a Community Interest Company to address the health needs of people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the city.

In 2016 Arch took over the running of the Morley Street GP surgery and the homeless health engagement service for Brighton & Hove.

Dr Chris Sargeant (Director) says: “Arch Health CIC was founded because we believe that no- one should be denied the highest standards of healthcare, whatever their circumstances.”

Those who make up the Arch Board have first-hand experience as clinicians and managers in providing services for homeless people and those from other marginalised groups such as gypsies and travellers, vulnerable asylum seekers and sex workers. We are determined to provide everyone from these groups a standard of care at least as good as that expected by the general population, and to make the care accessible, restorative, and compassionate.

Arch supports individual patients to access their care on a daily basis but also works with partners to make constant improvements to the excellent support systems which are available in the city.

The surgery service includes:

1. An in-reach service to Royal Sussex County and Mill View hospitals. The aim of our hospital in-reach team is to improve health outcomes by supporting patients to stay in hospital for the duration of the required treatment (including starting them on substitute prescribing and alcohol detox when admitted), managing the time of their discharge, registering them with a GP if needed, liaising with housing services to ensure no-one is discharged onto the streets, making referrals to services like Adult Social Care, Integrated Nursing Team, Justlife and the substance misuse service who all help support people once they are discharged back to the community.
2. An engagement service offering non-clinical support to patients . The Justlife Heath Engagement Team work proactively, enabling patients to obtain and maintain suitable accommodation and access health and community services. Their intensive work is vital as they support people to build their confidence, take ownership of their situation, improve their health and engage positively with the wider community
3. Community Outreach: The Arch clinical team are actively involved in outreach to various contexts across the city including hostels, day centres, temporary accommodation and onto the streets. Outreach services enable our team to provide much needed care to people who seldom access healthcare services.
4. City Wide Leadership: Arch provides specialist health and clinical input in a variety of strategic areas for the city, working closely with other healthcare providers, third sector partners, the city council and the CCG.