Piloting the community matron model with alcoholic homeless clients.
This article describes a 13 week trial of the community matron model undertaken with homeless persons in Lambeth in early 2007. Six patients were selected for 'demand management' at a 'wet' hostel in South London. A reduction in acute service demand (A&E attendances and inpatient admissions), and an increase in Euroqol EQ-5D 'quality of life' scores were the outcome targets of the community matron intervention. The article describes what was achieved for the six patients during the 13 week pilot, and the lessons that were learned as a result of undertaking the pilot roject Recommendations for future practice are made.
Dorney-Smith
Samantha
S
Three Boroughs Homeless Team, Lambeth, London. samantha.dorney-smith@nhs.net
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000451:nursing*; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life