Sleeping Out - Or homeless...

How hard is a pavement?

Did you sleep well? Tucked up in a cosy bed? Had a nice bath? Smelling sweet?

Such thoughts take me back fifty years to working in Casualty at the (now 'old') Westminster Hospital, London SW1. The hospital was near a Salvation Army hostel. Apologies for political incorrectness, but you could tell when the Sally Ann was bringing someone who needed our care--you could smell him (and generally, it was a male). We knew our masks would be needed as we removed clothing to reach the part(s) needing our most urgent attention.

After this came time for a bath, hair wash, clean clothing, nourishing food and a warming drink. At the same time, a medical assessment would be made. This could reveal untreated diabetes (contributing to the terrible feet and poor vision) or Tuberculosis. Obviously lice and fleas was an occupational hazard for our patient--and for us! Care would begin and the patient would be given shelter by the Salvation Army hostel. I don't know if it's still there.

But I do know that the number of homeless people has increased. Since my student days, many charities and shelters have been set up.  What about their health problems?

By the early '90s the 'Nurse Practitioner' proved a godsend to healthcare provision for homeless people. Barbara Stilwell, pioneer of Nurse Practitioners in the UK, started an evening surgery service at a homeless shelter in Vauxhall. By 1993, Pauline Emmerson and the Three Boroughs Primary Health Care team, Southwark, were working mainly with homeless people. For them, the advent of Nurse Prescribing, and the use of specific protocols, enabled better treatment for 'those of no fixed abode'. This type of service has, thankfully, spread, and with GP support.

So, is this a good thing? Of course! Better healthcare to any vulnerable group is 'good'. These service developments also show far the practice of community nursing has advanced. The down side is that the homeless population has not decreased. With so many demands on taxpayers' money, cuts in some areas are inevitable. Westminster Council ended funding to a Day Centre in central west London.

So, I decided I should put my money where my pen is--and do something to support this cause.  Last Friday, as you were partying, or tucked up in bed--I was lying in a borrowed sleeping bag, on cardboard, along one of London's busiest main roads.

About 20 of us joined the seven homeless regulars for a sponsored 'Sleep Out'.

I thought I could imagine what it was like. But even as I carried my flattened cardboard and plastic bag, (tied with string in case the handle did not hold--now I know why 'bag ladies' need to do this), to the Sleep Out, I was aware of getting some odd looks. I felt I wanted to say "It's ok, I'm just doing a sponsored sleep out". But that was a cop-out; this was 'experiential learning'.

And it did not feel good.

I knew I had a home to go back to in the morning.  But it still leaves me cold as I realise more and more just how helpless it must feel, to be homeless. As partygoers walked home past us in high spirits at 3am, I wanted to say "be quiet, people are trying to sleep". I then realised that I had no right to be sleeping on that pavement. In fact, I had no 'rights' at all. I could be moved on, or even arrested. I had no legitimate access to washing facilities--or food, or shelter.

Although I was smiling cheerfully as I bedded down at 10pm, (see the picture below!) I was aching, tired--and very humbled by 7am. It was an incredible learning experience.

I did raise money for the day centre by a Just Giving page. I wish I could do more.

I thought I could imagine what it was like. But even as I carried my flattened cardboard and plastic bag, (tied with string in case the handle did not hold--now I know why 'bag ladies' need to do this), to the Sleep Out, I was aware of getting some odd looks. I felt I wanted to say "It's ok, I'm just doing a sponsored sleep out". But that was a cop-out; this was 'experiential learning'.

Sue Smith would welcome comments suebsmith1@yahoo.co.uk

Sleeping out!