Delivering inclusive healthcare: an outreach model for people experiencing homelessness

People experiencing homelessness face stark health inequalities, often with poor access to primary care and higher rates of untreated chronic disease. This article describes a collaborative outreach clinic, where student nursing associates delivered frontline care to people experiencing homelessness, with GP support. Twice-monthly drop-in clinics were held at a local community centre, with services including registering patients with a local GP surgery, conducting health checks, screening for chronic disease, safeguarding, and signposting and referring individuals to mental health support. This article also outlines the results of an audit of this service, including 205 consultations from January 2024–July 2025. Identified outcomes included reduced emergency department attendances, fewer GP appointments and improved inter-agency working. The model aligns with NHS Core20PLUS5 priorities, demonstrating the vital contribution of student nursing associates to tackling health inequalities.