Specialist Primary Care Services
We know people experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience health problems and that Asylum seekers and refugees face difficulty in accessing health care.
As part of our purpose to improve access, outcomes and experience for our patients, all of our GP practices are part of the Safe Surgeries Initiative – this means anyone can register with us - regardless of immigration status or having a fixed abode.
Our specialist GP practices for those who are experiencing homelessness or who are asylum seekers go even further to support these groups of patients.
Our specialist GP Practices for Asylum Seekers and those experiencing homelessness help to breakdown barriers to accessing healthcare so these patients do not because a condition is not diagnosed or treated – which ultimately puts a greater strain on the healthcare economy.
You can read more about our specialist primary care services, below.
Camden Health Improvement Practice (CHIP)
The Camden Health Improvement Practice (CHIP) provides specialised healthcare services to some of London’s most vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, refugees, and victims of modern slavery. The practice is specifically designed to address the complex health needs of patients who are street homeless, living in hostels, or in temporary accommodations. Many patients also face additional challenges such as substance misuse, mental health issues, and chronic medical conditions.
Service Overview
Operating Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, CHIP offers flexible appointment options, including walk-ins, same-day face-to-face consultations, and telephone appointments. For out-of-hours support, CHIP patients can access evening and weekend appointments at four local GP hubs.
The multidisciplinary team, consisting of GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals, is supported by administrative staff and practice managers who ensure seamless operations. This structure allows the team to deliver tailored care, which is essential given the higher rates of substance misuse, mental health issues, and language barriers among the patient population. Many of CHIP's patients do not speak English as a first language, which presents additional challenges to accessing healthcare, but the practice has developed services that are accessible and inclusive, including for those with learning disabilities.
Key Services Offered
- Full GP registration for homeless patients
- Substance misuse clinic
- Sexual health and hepatology clinics (including Hep C treatment initiation)
- Welfare and benefits advice
- Spirometry and tissue viability clinics for patients with complex wounds
Our multidisciplinary team, which includes GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals, ensures comprehensive support through innovative initiatives such as Team Around the Practice and social prescribing. The practice has been widely recognised for its outreach efforts, including the Targeted GP Outreach Programme, which reaches non-engaged, high-risk patients through regular home visits and multidisciplinary team support. This initiative has been proven to significantly improve patient engagement, vaccination rates, and life expectancy for homeless patients—raising it 7.5 years above the national average for homeless individuals.
In recognition of this work, CHIP was awarded the London Homelessness Award in 2021. This accolades underline CHIP's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the homeless community.
Why Choose Operose Health’s Specialist Services?
Operose Health is committed to providing integrated, patient-centred care that addresses the diverse needs of vulnerable populations. Our experience in delivering specialist services, such as those offered by the Camden Health Improvement Practice and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Primary Care Stream, demonstrates our ability to innovate and adapt in collaboration with local NHS partners.
Our services offer:
- Tailored healthcare solutions for underserved communities
- Improved patient outcomes through focused, multidisciplinary care
- Cost-effective models that alleviate pressure on emergency and acute services
We look forward to collaborating with NHS commissioners to expand and adapt our specialist services to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients across the UK. For more information on our specialist services and how we can support your commissioning needs, please contact us.
Our Practices
Would you like to register with us or learn more about a local GP practice?
Please see the links below for more information.