Excellence Award for P3 Wolverhampton Hospital Discharge Service
P3’s Wolverhampton Hospital Discharge Service has won the ‘Prevention into Action’ title at Homeless Link’s annual Excellence Awards.
The award recognises projects that are committed to preventing homelessness from occurring in the first instance and was decided by a nine-strong judging panel with experience across the health and housing sectors.
P3’s Wolverhampton Hospital Discharge Service is based in Penn and New Cross Hospitals in the West Midlands. It provides support to people who are homeless or at risk of it, to prevent them from being discharged into unsuitable accommodation or no home at all.
It also works alongside them to improve their health and wellbeing, with the aim of reducing hospital readmissions.
“Pete” (not his real name) was helped by the service after being attached while sleeping rough. Attempting to escape, he jumped off a wall with a 13 foot high drop on the other side and broke his leg.
He woke up in New Cross Hospital wearing only a hospital gown. Support workers from the Wolves Hospital Discharge Service provided him with clothes, found suitable accommodation and supported him to attend his subsequent primary care and GP appointments.
Pete said: “I reckon I would have been dead now if I was still living on the streets.
“Since I left hospital, I’ve put on weight. I’m happier and healthier. The support from P3 has been a definite turning point for me.”
He has now reconnected with his daughter, is regaining confidence and is looking for a flat of his own.
P3 CEO Mark Simms said: “We are really lucky to have such fantastic people working here at P3. Their dedication, professional expertise and compassion really make things happen.
“The success here is shared between all of the partners: the NHS, Wolverhampton City Council and the network of charities and other housing providers in Wolverhampton who are determined to end homelessness for everyone.”
Sam Bailey, Head of Support and Community Services at P3 added: “We are so pleased for the recognition for this award. Not only has this service made such an impact in people’s lives, but this also celebrates collaborative working at its best. It’s a joint success, between the service, all our partners and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.”
Rick Henderson, CEO at Homeless Link, the national membership charity for frontline homelessness organisations, said: “Preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways of reducing homelessness. Leaving hospital is a high risk time for people experiencing or threatened with homelessness.
"If someone is discharged into unsuitable accommodation, or back into homelessness, it can greatly impact their recovery, increasing the likelihood of re-admission and placing an extra burden on the NHS.
“P3’s work in supporting people to not only find accommodation but build up their overall health and wellbeing, as well as positively influencing NHS procedures, thoroughly deserves the Prevention into Action award.”
