Healthcare for homeless people during COVID-19 pandemic.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the experiences of changes to support access to primary health care services and the impact on the quality and safety of care for homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic
IRAS ID
285008
Contact name
Caroline Sanders
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The COVID-19 pandemic and the required social distancing measures have caused unprecedented disruption and change for the organisation of primary care. Telephone consultations and remote ‘virtual’ consultations via video technology (such as Zoom, Skype and FaceTime) have been rolled out at speed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Greenhalgh et al 2020).
People experiencing homelessness are a vulnerable group and are at increased risk of complications from the virus, whether this be directly from catching the virus, or indirectly due to the impact the pandemic has on their ability to access healthcare for their existing health conditions. These issues are crucial given the high rates of physical and mental health problems experienced by homeless people, and especially for rough sleepers (Link, 2014; Crisis, 2012). In the midst of a pandemic, there is concern that the shift to digital remote consultations may exacerbate health inequalities as people experiencing homelessness may not have access to the resources needed to contact 111 or their GP. It is therefore important that we evaluate this new approach to delivering healthcare for people experiencing homelessness so that changes to how this care is delivered can be changed to meet the needs of homeless people during the course of the pandemic. We are working with three GP practices across Greater Manchester that provide specialist services for people experiencing homelessness and the results of our research will be discussed with them so that changes can be implemented quickly.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/3356
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion