A team that helps spinal injuries patients at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) to secure access to suitable housing when they leave hospital is celebrating a major honour at recent national awards.
The Housing Clinic at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit (QENSIU), part of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, won the Working in Partnership category at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Scotland Housing Awards earlier this month.
And Specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) Jennifer Cloughley, one of the driving forces behind establishing the clinic, admitted that she felt a huge sense of pride at being announced as winner.
She said: “The whole evening was wonderful! It was inspiring to hear all of the great work that goes on in the housing sector. Working in the NHS, this is not something we would usually be aware of so it was very interesting to hear about all of the different projects and good work that goes on in the housing community.
“I felt very honoured to be nominated and the fact that we won, just felt totally surreal. I am very proud of the clinic and the success it has become. It has transformed how we tackle the housing issues for our patients for the better.”
The Housing Clinic works with patients throughout their treatment to help reduce the worry of whether a patient will have somewhere to live when they are discharged. It also has a significant impact on reducing housing-related delayed discharge.
It is a collaboration between NHSGGC staff and housing charity Housing Options Scotland – after the awards, Jennifer was keen to acknowledge that partnership.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to Eve Young from Housing Options Scotland, who is supporting so many patients. Without her, the clinic wouldn’t be the success it is today.”
Unsuitable housing is the second most common reason for delayed discharge among patients at QENSIU, with nearly one-third, or 32.5%, of delayed discharge attributable to this.
Because of this, supporting patients with suitable housing has always been a critical part of an OT’s role – but it can be very time-consuming.
Given the competing demands on an OT’s time, it used to take weeks or even months to identify housing needs and make sure they were met.
Read more about the Housing Clinic: Housing Clinic for spinal patients shortlisted for national award – NHSGGC
So when Eve, Senior Housing Options Brokerat Housing Options Scotland, approached staff at QENSIU and offered her help, the team jumped at the chance.
“We needed to do something,” said Jennifer earlier this year, “and Eve’s housing expertise has transformed the service we can give patients.
“It used to take us weeks, or even months, but Eve has so much knowledge and has built up relationships throughout the sector, so the whole process is so much quicker now.”
Following the award ceremony Susan Groom, Director of Regional Services at NHSGGC, said: “All our staff go above and beyond to provide the best possible care and support for our patients, and this successful partnership between the National Spinal Injuries Unit and Housing Options Scotland shows the practical, real-life benefits that commitment can bring.
“I would like to congratulate Jennifer, Eve and everyone involved in the Housing Clinic for achieving this national honour, and I would like to thank all our staff for the work they do every day.”
