A specialist NHS mental health team supporting homeless people in Kent is expanding following approval by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The ICB approved plans to extend the homelessness team services to reach more areas, including East Kent, Dartford, Swanley, and Swale.
This expands existing activity by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust’s homelessness team in West Kent, Medway and Gravesham.
Established in 2021 with funding from the national Rough Sleeping Initiative, the team of psychiatrists, nurses and social workers conducts direct assessments on the streets to build trust and help people access mental health care, housing and support to move into stable accommodation.
The team works with local partners including Gravesham Borough Council and community mental health initiative Mental Health Together.
According to John Lavelle, service director at the trust, the team’s growing reputation has helped it reach those in need.
‘Our approach, meeting people where they are, conducting assessments directly on the streets, we know builds trust and enables effective care,’ he said.
The trust hopes the expansion will improve access to care and help more people move on from homelessness.
Dr Kate Langford, chief medical officer at NHS Kent and Medway ICB, said people experiencing homelessness were ‘often among the most disadvantaged, marginalised, and traumatised populations’.
She added: ‘The evidence shows that this type of mental health support reaches the people that other services don’t.
‘So, this additional funding will mean that more people sleeping on the streets of Kent and Medway can get the help they need to build a new and healthier life.’
Last year, NHS Kent and Medway recruited a people and communities champion to ensure the experiences and views of patients are always at the heart of ICB decision-making.
