Health Improvement Pathway Plymouth (HIPP)

Health Inclusion Pathway Plymouth (HIPP) is a specialist multidisciplinary service that works with people experiencing homelessness, insecure housing and social exclusion who face significant barriers to accessing healthcare.

The service was established in November 2022 to address significant health inequalities experienced by people facing homelessness and multiple health and social complexities, including high rates of hospital attendance, difficulties accessing healthcare and poorer health outcomes..

HIPP is jointly delivered by Adelaide Street Surgery, Plymouth Alliance and Livewell Southwest, with consultation and support from Pathway UK.

HIPP provides coordinated, person-centred support for people with complex physical health, mental health and social care needs.

Support may include:

• Physical health assessments and treatment
• Mental health support
• Psychological interventions
• Wound care and long-term condition management
• Housing and accommodation support
• Drug and alcohol service referrals
• Occupational therapy assessment
• Social care support
• Advocacy and appointment support
• Healthcare coordination and care planning

The team works closely with healthcare providers, housing services, voluntary sector organisations and community partners to ensure people receive joined-up care.

HIPP brings together a range of professional expertise to provide integrated support, including:

• Mental Health Nurse
• Physical Health Nurse
• Healthcare Assistant
• Social Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Support Worker
• Two General Practitioners
• Clinical Psychologist
• Team Administrator

This multidisciplinary approach allows the team to address both immediate health needs and the wider factors affecting wellbeing.

Since launching in November 2022, HIPP has received more than 2,000 referrals and has helped people access healthcare who may otherwise struggle to engage with traditional services.

The team’s flexible outreach model enables them to deliver care in familiar environments, reducing barriers to healthcare and helping to improve physical health, mental wellbeing and independence.