Health advice for vulnerable patients in Lambeth on the harm reduction bus

09 November 2009

St Mungo's, in partnership with NHS Lambeth, has launched a new service to bring healthcare advice, treatment, harm reduction information and support around injecting to people using drugs and alcohol in the borough.

The specially converted mini-bus will take to the road and offer easy access to blood borne virus testing, vaccinations and treatment to some of the borough's most vulnerable patients, including the homeless and people who misuse drugs and alcohol. This healthcare bus will be staffed by St Mungo's Substance Use Workers and there will be satellite healthcare provision.

These clients, who are unlikely to go and see a GP, can get on the bus and talk with nurses and other healthcare / drug and alcohol professionals about their healthcare needs, including:

  • Harm reduction and general health information.
  • Support and advice to patients with substance use issues
  • Testing and vaccination for blood borne viruses like Hepatitis B, C and HIV.
  • Signposting for further treatment.

The bus runs for 25 hours a week from Tuesday - Saturday visiting locations across the borough where a need has been identified.

Kenneth Gregory, substance misuse commissioning manager at NHS Lambeth said: "Reducing inequalities and improving access to health services are key priorities for NHS Lambeth.

"We're delighted to launch the harm reduction bus in Lambeth. This mobile service enables us to offer a personalised and less formal approach to service users who often find it difficult to access healthcare services in a traditional setting."

Gayle Jones, St Mungo's South and West Regional Substance Use Team Manager, added: "St Mungo's is very excited by the start of this service through the healthcare bus.

"Since October 2008, St Mungo's has provided the harm reduction and needle exchange service through outreach and satellite provision, but we are confident that the development of the service to combine healthcare, harm reduction information and support will enable us to provide more holistic services to those clients in Lambeth who may not have access to more traditional services."

ENDS

Notes to editor:

  • Press contacts: Judith Higgin, St Mungo's 020 8762 5645 or judith.higgin@mungos.org. Kelly Hastings, NHS Lambeth 020 3049 4161
  • To find out more about NHS Lambeth please visit http://www.lambeth.nhs.uk/
  • To find our more about St Mungo's please visit http://www.mungos.org/
  • For more information about this service please contact Amit Kumar, Deputy Manager for St Mungo's, Lambeth Harm reduction and Needle Exchange Service on 0771 469 9610 or at akumar@mungos.org

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