Annual Homeless Health Conference

The aim of this talk was to equip delegates with practical strategies for supporting homeless autistic / ADHD clients in resource limited environments.

Speakers: Hannah Gibson – Buddy and Peer Support and Jo Hobbs – Autistic Occupational Therapist, Brighton & Hove Recovery College.

Slides from Autism + Environment session.

This session provided an overview of the CGL hospital service and how we support clients to access treatment and sustain recovery on discharge.

Speakers: Anna Humphrey – Hospital Liaison Service, Dr Matt O’Brien – Consultant Psychiatrist, Emma Sparace – Hospital Liaison Service, CGL.

Beyond the Ward: How CGL Supports Recovery in Hospitals presentation slides

We are increasingly aware of the limitations and dangers of painkillers. The aim of this session is to give delegates a better understanding of chronic joint pain and how to support clients to manage this from the perspective of an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist with experience in homeless healthcare.

Speaker: Oliver Lucas – Physiotherapist, Sussex MSK Partnership.

Musculoskeletal and Chronic Pain – presentation slides

ABC delivered a tailored one-hour session designed specifically for frontline workers, aimed at enhancing their capacity to support asylum seekers and refugees experiencing homelessness.
The session focused on building confidence in navigating the challenges faced by this population. It also explored the distinct health needs of asylum seekers and refugees, highlighting key considerations such as cultural differences, language barriers, and the importance of managing expectations. Additionally, the session addressed common knowledge gaps, including a basic overview of the immigration system and its implications for accessing healthcare and support services.

Speakers: Lena Abdu – Associate Director of Transformation and Eva Bangova – Equity Development Manager, Alliance for Better Care CIC.

Slides from Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health conference session.

Fact or fiction? 1. The homeless population are three times more likely to suffer with cardiovascular disease? 2. Blood Pressure and smoking are the least of the issues for a person experiencing homelessness? This session looked to build attendees’ understanding of what cardiovascular disease is and why it’s so important to understand and manage this condition for those experiencing homelessness.

Speaker: Dr. Tal Lewin – GP, Arch Healthcare.

Slides from Heart Health presentation.

This session encouraged attendees to critically reflect on how the system supports people who have experienced substance use, and offer ideas for improving practice and services. It also provided an insight into how people experience the system and services and what they are doing to make improvements.

Speakers: Common Ambition Drug and Alcohol Lived Experience Programme

This session gave delegates an improved understanding of the different mental health medications on offer. This included which medicines are used for which conditions, how they work, whether they work, and the decision making process that doctors undertake when prescribing or stop prescribing. This session also looked at the benefits and problems associated with these medicines.

Speaker: Dr Tim Worthley – GP, Arch Healthcare

Mental Health Medications conference session slides.

This talk aimed to boost participants’ understanding of how to address dietary health inequalities commonplace amongst people experiencing homelessness. It  provided a background to the problem of poor dietary quality, highlight findings from research exploring diet and nutrition for this population group, and provided practical solutions to support people experiencing homelessness to access an improved diet.

Speaker: Hannah Style – Founder and Research Dietitian, FEAST With Us

Nutrition and Homelessness conference session slides.

This session looked at responding to medical emergencies and providing first aid. It covered recognising when someone is deteriorating gradually and becoming frail, and how best to help.

Speakers: Hannah Bishop – Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Arch Healthcare; Caterina Speight – Clinical Services Manager, SCFT Homeless Team; and Karen Leenders – Hostel Manager, New Steine Mews Hostel.

Recognising and Responding – First aid to Frailty slides

This workshop shared learning and advice on supporting people with chronic alcohol dependence who are experiencing homelessness. It included interactive case studies and small group discussions, facilitated by a liver outreach nurse specialist and inclusion health GP. It offered practical tips for front line support workers, and updates on the care of liver problems and alcohol related brain injury.

Speakers: Jason Howell – Liver Clinical Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals Sussex and Kate Pitt, GP – Arch Healthcare / Lecturer, Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Supporting People with Alcohol Dependence conference slides

This talk explored all aspects of hoarding (and extreme clutter). It developed delegates’ understanding of it as a mental illness or because of another mental illness, the reasons why someone hoards and covered the best ways to support them, including positive language and rapport building.

Speaker: Jack Moore – Respect My Stuff Ltd

Hoarding presentation slides

This session explored how service users can cause distress in staff teams. The session leaders considered the hopelessness and despair that car arise for those working in this area – and how much of that relates not only to the patient themselves but as a result of the wider and global systems within which we all work. The session looked at the ingredients needed to look after oneself and work effectively but realistically with this patient group.

Speakers: Dr Jessica Buckle, Deirdre Fuller and Dr Justin Kerr – CERN Psychotherapy team

What’s Good Enough? conference session slides