Homelessness and Vulnerable Groups

Homelessness is a growing problem in the UK, and elsewhere in the world. People experiencing homelessness have multiple complex needs, including health and social care.

1. Evaluation of integrated care for the homeless

Funder: NHS Lothian

Amount: £24,969 

Principal Investigator:  Professor Stewart Mercer  Professor Stewart Mercer's Profile Page

In Lothian, services for homeless people have been divided between two sites, the Access

Point in Leith Street, which mainly deals with housing issues, and the Edinburgh Access

Practice (EAP) in Spittal Street, which is a primary care centre that deals with mental and

Physical Health problems, including addiction. Although the Leith Street site has some GP

sessions, in particular the women’s health clinic once a week, most of the health care is

focused in the EAP, whereas most of the social and housing care is located in the Access

Point. A new integrated centre, which will operate as a ‘one-stop shop’ is due to open in

Edinburgh in late 2020 or early 2021, with health, housing and social care all located in the

same site.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this funding application is to construct and conduct an evaluation of the new integrated

Centre for homeless services.

The objectives are to;

  1.          Explore views on the ‘how is it all going to work’ of the new centre and the expected impacts, in advance of the new centre opening
  2.          Explore views on impact, functioning, and sustainability over the first year of the centre opening

Researchers

Dr Eddie Donaghy (Eddie Donaghy's online profile)

 

2. Leveraging Data Driven Innovation to Support Expected Surge in People Experiencing Homelessness in Edinburgh due to COVID19

Applicants     Cuthill F, Mercer SW, Wolters M

Source            DDI BEACON Build Back Better Open Call

Amount          £24,900

Period             February – July 2021

 

3. Implementation of a digital information resource  for homeless people in Edinburgh

Applicants     Cuthill F, Mercer SW, Wolters M

Source            ESRC Impact Acceleration Grants and Simon Community Scotland

Amount          £14,000

Period             August 2020 - January 2021

 

4. Understanding the Role and Potential of Primary Care in the Prevention of Drug Deaths post COVID-19

Applicants     Whittaker A, O’Gorman A, Mercer SW, Robson R et al

Source            Scottish Government Drug Deaths Task Force Research Programme

Amount          £99,912

Period             October 2020-November 2021

 

5. Soothe and Care: Promoting compassion & positive mood in Edinburgh and South-East Scotland to fight mental health issues exacerbated by COVID-19 lock down

Applicants     Mercer SW (PI), Chan S

Source            Data Driven Innovation, University of Edinburgh

Amount          £15,000

Period             April 2020 – January 2021

 

6. Multimorbidity and Emergency Healthcare Provision: Improving Care through Data Driven Innovation

Grantholders Lone N, et al

Source            Institutional Strategic Support Fund, The Welcome Trust –The University of Edinburgh

Amount          £39,056

Period             March 2020 – February 2021

 

Centre for Homelessness and Inclusion Health

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