The GP-led ‘Pathway’ programme for coordinating the health and care of homeless people was first established at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust back in 2009. Since then, Pathway has become a leading national charity for the homeless and the approach has been adopted by a further nine NHS trusts in London, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and Brighton.
The Pathway programme involves in-hospital GPs and dedicated Pathway nurses working with others to address the housing, financial and social issues of patients. Following its introduction, accident and emergency attendances by supported individuals fell by 38 per cent, with a 78 per cent reduction in bed days.