MSP shares views on closure of vital homeless service in Glasgow
copyright: Garry Knight
The decision to close a specialist homeless GP service in Glasgow has been met with concern by Glasgow Shettleston MSP, John Mason.
The Hunter Street practice closed in March as part of an incorporation to the Complex Needs Service (CNS).
The patients who use this service, most of whom live in temporary accommodation, will now be registered with GPs closer to where they live.
‘A safety net’
The Deep End GP project represent practises in the 100 most deprived areas of Scotland, 70 of which are in Glasgow.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Deep End Project said closing the centre is like losing a safety net for patients who have no other access to GP care.
“While many people experiencing homelessness will be able to remain registered with their own GP,” he said. “Not all of this population can, or they may struggle to register with a practice.
“People experiencing homelessness are more likely than the general population to have experienced interpersonal trauma and violence.
“They often take longer to build relationships of trust with health professionals and to feel safe in a healthcare setting.”
Mr Mason sympathises with the Deep End Group’s concerns.
“The health needs of homeless people are complex and a joined up, constructive approach is always desirable,” he said. “I have a very high opinion of the Deep End GPs and have interacted with a number of them in my constituency over the years.
“Their argument that GP resources should be targeted more strongly at the most deprived areas, strikes a chord with me.”
In a cost-of-living crisis where GP services are already overstretched it is feared that lack of resources will not accommodate the complex needs of the homeless.
The practice previously tried to appeal the decision to close to the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
“The HSCP say the GP element of CNS will focus on higher risk of mortality rather than standalone services,” Mr Mason added. “They also say that most of those who are homeless are now registered with GPs closer to where they stay.
“That sounds good, however, every GP practice is independent and operates differently, so I very much hope that the relevant practises will be able to give adequate time and attention to some of the neediest folk in our society.”
Last month the HSCP, who provides social care, addiction and homelessness services, revealed budget cuts of nearly £22m.
They said the CNS and Hunter Street practice merger was not related to this.
The HSCP were approached for comment.
Specialist practises remain in operation across the country but not in Glasgow where the highest number of homeless are living.
Mr Mason said: “It concerns me that reports say that Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Ayrshire have this kind of GP specialised service, whereas it appears that Glasgow will not.
“I will be asking the HSCP to explain why they think a new model is better in Glasgow.”
