‘Luke’ was well known to the Health Squad. He had been a rough sleeper in County Durham and the surrounding areas for a number of years and had never maintained a tenancy for longer than a couple of months. We invited to take part in a full health assessment, which he agreed to.
During the health assessment, Luke disclosed he had a hernia, which measured approximately seven inches in height and six in depth. A referral had been submitted for surgery some months prior; however, by the time a letter was posted to him to advise of the date for this, Luke had been evicted. Because of this, he was unaware of the appointment and missed it.
Luke could not be re-referred as he did not have a suitable address to be discharged to in the community safely after the operation. Health Squad and Luke’s allocated Social Prescribing Link Worker worked together to get an agreement for a temporary “care of” address as a post-surgical discharge location. Health Squad is continuing to support Luke with attending this appointment.