Life in Salford 36 • March 2022 37
Helping homeless people stay well Helping people experiencing homelessness stay well is a key priority for Salford Primary Care Together, the service which unites all Salford GP practices. The Inclusion Service currently has 475 people registered and works to move them into mainstream services once they have been treated, freeing up space for others. Homelessness includes people who are in insecure or emergency accommodation, sofa surfers and rough sleepers. Working with Salford Royal, the service offers all new patients a health check which has successfully identified issues and supported patients to manage their physical health before reaching a crisis. The service is also offering temporary accommodation for people who test positive for COVID and vaccinations for people who would struggle to attend mainstream vaccination sites. Booster jabs are being given at Salford Loaves and Fishes. Becki Smee from The Inclusion Service said: “The NHS is here to serve everyone and people experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to illness. We have changed our ways of working to meet and support their needs. We’re pleased this project is going well and helping so many get the health care they need.” To contact the service and arrange remote consulting by phone or video, please call 07595 411581 or 0161 983 0650.
Greater Manchester's major trauma hospital reaches for the skies It’s now over a year since building work started on the six storey trauma hospital on Salford Royal’s site.
Once complete, it will be where patients from across Greater Manchester who have sustained a major trauma such as in a traffic accident are treated and where patients from Salford, Wigan and Bolton have high risk emergency general surgery. On top of the building will be a helipad, to allow patients to be flown in. Consultant in Emergency Medicine Dr Scott Beattie said: “With some of the most injured or unwell patients, it really is about getting them to us as quickly as possible so we can speedily understand their injuries and get their care and treatment underway. This can ultimately help save their life or ensure their injuries are not as life-changing.” Salford Royal is part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. Chief Medical Officer Dr Chris Brookes said: “Our staff and construction partners have not let a pandemic stand in the way of creating this incredibly important new building for the people of Greater Manchester. We look forward to welcoming the first patients in the summer of 2023.” For more information go to www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
