St Mungo's services run day and
night, every day of the year
The charities plan to pilot services in London, developing a model of care which can be transferred to other cities in the UK.
Head of Service Development Margaret Dobb said: “We are still scoping precisely what is needed, but the project will involve Marie Curie Cancer Care providing project management expertise, support and advice, and the Marie Curie Nursing Service providing some of the nursing care that will be required.
"Both charities are keen to get the service up and running.
“The next step is for St Mungo’s to appoint a designated key worker who will be responsible for working with Marie Curie Cancer Care throughout the project.”
Over the past two years, the number of residents dying whilst in St Mungo’s care has increased by 50 per cent. While the numbers continue to be small (around 30 people per year), at present there is no provision for palliative care.
Homeless people are frequently non-compliant with their medical treatment and suffer severe relapses in their health causing emergency admission to hospital. This is not their preferred location to die, and hence they will often discharge themselves.
Their choice is to remain within their hostel but currently there is not sufficient expertise to provide high quality care.
This project in addition to providing practical care to the individual will also work to improve the knowledge of St Mungo’s staff to enable them to access appropriate services as required and to offer support to other residents at a difficult time.
This should avoid last minute emergency admissions to hospital. It is hoped the service will be commenced in the early autumn.
May 2008
