Dean SpruceCase study: Barriers to healthcare [Addiction]
Transcribed from sound recording
Can you explain what stops you going to hospital to seek treatment?
Basically, I’m still abusing drugs, and they won’t help me, as soon as they know I’m rattling they won’t give me anything to help me out, so I sign myself out and come home
OK, so you won’t go to the hospital because you’re rattling, I know that you recently went to the hospital to seek treatment, what finally pushed you to get medical help, what happened?
My health was deteriorating, yea, more and more wasn’t it, I needed hospital treatment, so I had to go up there, but then I had to lie and say I’m an ex user, I’m not using still. After five days, after they’ve read my file, they came to me asking if I was using, I said I was an ex user and I’m not using, only a bit of weed and drink. Can you detox off the drink they said to me, no I said, I’ve done it now, I’ve been in 5 days, yea, they said OK, the morphine injections that you’re on, for your leg, this time, this will help you (an alternative pain killer?) help me with what?… Continue Reading
Homeless people have the right to register with a G.P
Author: Andy Meakin, Director, VOICES
Expert Citizens, Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent, and VOICES have launched a card designed to help homeless people register with a doctor.
The card is designed so that homeless people and their support workers can easily remind GP practice staff that they have a right to access the primary healthcare that they need. NHS England sets out clear guidance stating that homeless people do not need to provide proof of identification when applying to register with a NHS doctor.
Despite this, homeless people are often asked to provide identification documents as a condition of registration with a practice.
People experiencing homelessness are among the most at risk of premature death.
“Homeless people are more likely to die young, with an average age of death of 47 years old and even lower for women at 43.”
Crisis & University of Sheffield (2012), “Homelessness Kills”, page 4.
Andy Meakin, Project Director at VOICES, said:
“The support of a GP is often vital for homeless people to secure access to other needed services. This includes mental health support, drug or alcohol treatment, or a social care intervention, for example. However, a GP may also be able to help people access housing and welfare benefits by providing evidence of their… Continue Reading