A LEADING Southend doctor has been honoured for his pioneering initiative to help the homeless community in Southend lead healthy lives and boost their wellbeing.

GP Dr Haroon Siddique, who works within the Southend West Central Primary Care Network, has been made an Honorary Fellow at the Faculty for Homelessness and Inclusion Health.

His initiative, Southend integrated care for homeless, helps support some of Southend’s most vulnerable residents.

The aim of the initiative is to reduce health inequalities for rough sleepers, to support them in not only recovering from life on the streets, but to also help them lead more meaningful lives.

The initiative has already seen positive outcomes by maximising opportunities to deliver preventative health initiatives, such as Hepatitis C, respiratory, blood pressure and Covid-19 testing.

Dr Siddique said: “I am thrilled to be made a fellow and that the valuable work of the initiative has been recognised but even more thrilled at the work we have been able to do with some of society’s most excluded to level up health inequalities.

“It demonstrates how partnership working can make a real difference where it matters most.

“I’d also like to thank the local NHS, Southend Homeless charity Harp, and Southend Council for helping to make this happen.”

The initiative was also a finalist in the “Primary Care Innovation of the Year” category at the national Health Service Journal Awards in 2021.

The faculty is an inclusive membership organisation for people involved in health care for excluded groups, for example, homeless people, Gypsies and Travellers, vulnerable migrants, and sex workers.

Tricia D’Orsi, south-east Essex alliance director, said:

“This recognition really does reflect the collaborative efforts and dedication of Dr Siddique and our colleagues who have worked so hard to successfully deliver the ‘Southend Integrated Healthcare for Homeless’ initiative.

“The approach is truly collaborative, building relationships between physical and mental health, primary and specialist care and health and social care supporting national ambitions outlined in the NHS long-term plan. This initiative is part of wider plans across mid and south Essex that will see health and care partners working together to better support those at risk of ill health, improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities through more personalised care.”