NHS staff caring for some of Norfolk’s most vulnerable people discussed the support on hand when they met Norfolk’s High Sheriff this week.
Staff from The Matrix Project and City Reach Health Services, which are both run by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust(NCH&C), were visited by The High Sheriff of Norfolk, Lady Leicester on Wednesday, February 26.
They welcomed her to their base at the Under 1 Roof building on Westwick Street, in Norwich, and discussed the care they provide to sex workers, homeless people, gypsies and travellers, asylum seekers, and ex-offenders.
Lady Leicester asked to visit the teams after hearing about the good work they have been doing in Norwich alongside a number of partners.
Staff at the Matrix and City Reach explained to Lady Leicester that they aim to help people to access the care they need, particular focusing on people who may otherwise not engage with mainstream NHS services.
The teams enable clients to access support from nurses and support workers as well as GP and other primary care services. The support on hand includes a needle exchange, advice on mental health or substance misuse, immunisations, sexual health or blood borne virus screening, and treatments for minor illness or injuries.
There is significant demand for the team’s services, with City Reach caring for around 40-50 new patients each month and providing around 250 GP and 250 nursing appointments in the same period. As well as offering drop-in and booked clinics at its base, the dedicated staff also provide outreach support on the city’s streets, and within refuges and hostels.
Lady Leicester also heard how the Matrix Project, which until now has largely been focused on providing services in the Norwich area, is hoping to soon expand its area of operations to include other areas of the county, once an assessment of demand is carried out.
Kevin Hanner, Service Lead at City Reach Health Services, said: “The Matrix and City Reach team work closely together to support a range of vulnerable people.
“The care we provide makes a real difference to local people in need, but we are sometimes an unseen service, so I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to introduce Lady Leicester to our excellent team and tell her about all the good work they do.”
During the visit to Under 1 Roof, Lady Leicester also had the opportunity to find out about the range of partners who work with the Matrix and City Reach, including St Martins Housing Trust which is based at the unit.
Together, Matrix, City Reach, at St Martins Housing Trust provide a one-stop service for people who require medical care, housing support, advice about finding work, education courses, and training.
