'Amazing' clinic is changing lives of rough sleepers

DROP-IN SERVICE REDUCING PRESSURE ON HOSPITALS

- By JOSEPH LOCKER Local Democracy Reporter

A “TRANSFORMATIVE” drop-in clinic for Nottingham’s homeless people has been widely praised by its users, with one rough sleeper saying he feels “like a different man”.

The first of its kind respiratory clinic was set up in 2024, and has been a pioneering service in saving the lives of people sleeping rough in the city. Now new figures show it has been drastically cutting hospital admissions, A&E visits and ambulance call-outs.

It provides hospital-level respiratory assessments, including X-rays and blood tests, and many patients can avoid attending hospital as a result.

One person who used the service is 46-year-old Ross Nixon. He had been sleeping rough for three years in the city after being released from prison and struggling with his mental health.

Most people sleeping rough are experiencing what is known as severe and multiple disadvantage, with various physical and mental health conditions keeping them entrenched on the streets.

The clinic was able to diagnose Mr Nixon with severe asthma and show him how to use his inhaler correctly.