The role of a specialist homelessness HV

This week's episode was recorded last summer when Jen interviewed her colleague Debbie who is a Specialist Homelessness HV.

Debbie has a real passion for her role both as a health visitor and as an advocate for the families she works with. She explains in the interview how she has built relationships with local MP's, councillor's and the CCG highlighting the levels of need in the community and what she is able to do.

Debbie says that attending http://homelesshealthnetwork.net/ meetings helped her meet like-minded professionals and led to her putting herself forward for QNI membership: https://www.qni.org.uk/nursing-in-the-community/queens-nurses/

The London Network of Nurses and Midwives (LNNM); which Debbie mentions in this episode; is a voluntary network of health care professionals, health support workers and peer advocates working directly or indirectly with people experiencing homelessness. It has been in existence since 1999. It has recently evolved from being a purely nurse, midwife and health visitor focused network to include allied health professionals and peer advocates. It is London based, but many members are from outside London. The group exists to provide informal supervision and mutual support to members, and a shared voice within the sector. The network also provides CPD opportunities, a chance to share best practice, and a chance to benefit from the experience of others.​

Debbie is on twitter https://twitter.com/debbief108 and as mentioned in the podcast is worth following for her informative comments and carefully curated feed.
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