Foot health service linkage for people experiencing homelessness

Research priority: Optimising health and wellbeing
Researchers: Rajna Ogrin, Mary-Anne Rushford, Rebecca Mannix, Anthony Lewis
Research partners: cohealth, Footscape
Study population: Home and Community Support, Homeless Persons Program (HPP) 
Funding support: Rough Sleeping

In Victoria there are almost 23,000 people experiencing homelessness. Foot problems, causing pain and discomfort, are a frequent issue.

Many services provide healthcare support for people experiencing homelessness: outreach nursing, outreach podiatry and philanthropic resource support. This project aims to evaluate the collaboration between three services providing access to foot health in metropolitan Melbourne: Bolton Clarke’s HPP, cohealth outreach podiatry and Footscape - a non-profit organisation.

We are examining the characteristics of individuals who need this service, identifying any gaps in service access and what other supports are needed to improve care and outcomes for this vulnerable group. This will help advocate for additional resources to enable access to foot care for people experiencing homelessness Melbourne-wide.

Publications

Pham, C., Ogrin, R., & Ekinci, E. (2019). A GP's guide to managing diabetes-related foot ulceration. Australian Doctor.