Today we are delighted to be discharging 'C', a COVID-19 patient - who is also homeless - who has has been at Mildmay since the end of March.

Despite being stepped-down* to Mildmay, 'C's recovery has been protracted as a result of other health complications. However, 'C' has now fully recovered and is ready to take the next step in their journey, moving into temporary accommodation nearby.

As with all our patients being discharged, we asked 'C' to complete a questionnaire providing feedback on their experience of Mildmay - we continually monitor our services so we can find ways to improve our patient care and rehabilitation programmes. On the back of the form is a space to leave a comment, and this is what 'C' wrote:

"Hi there, I’d like to thank all of you for your kind support have given me.

Very special thanks to the nursing staff also to Dr Chetty for his friendly support and solidarity. To Margaret, Helen and Patricia, Miss Sue (dietician), Zach (nurse), Ann (physiotherapy)  - great job.

Special thanks to Dr Simon and Beverley.

In the name of my family and myself, we wish you all the best and hope you keep on helping those in need.

God Bless

C"We wish 'C' well as they begin the next chapter of their life.

Since the beginning of April, when Mildmay Hospital was due to have closed its clinical services as a result of the lack of a funding agreement with the CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) it works with, the hospital has been treating both HIV and homeless patients - with and without COVID-19. With expertise in infectious disease (HIV), Mildmay was able to quickly adapt to the new cohort of patients and has been consistently close to full since then - for the first time in the history of the hospital in its current form.

The charity has been contracted from the beginning of April to the end of July to provide step-down care for patients who are homeless or rough sleeping and recuperating from illness or injury. We are hoping to continue this important work being undertaking in support of London’s NHS Trusts but no assurances have yet been given.

Patient numbers were high throughout April and most of May and this has continued in June with every expectation that the need for Mildmay and its specialist services will remain. However, there have been attempts to block appropriate referrals from one CCG in particular. This action has caused some difficulties, especially at the Royal London, where a number of patients are waiting to be admitted to Mildmay.

There have been rumours that there may be a contract extension, but as you can imagine, for a team that has already been taken to the brink of redundancy and who have given their all during this crisis, the uncertainty is considerably troubling. Mildmay had to spend much of its charitable reserves in April on PPE and agency staff because many had been made redundant just prior to the request to continue providing services.

Mildmay is working with homeless charities across London, in particular Pathway, to develop the work in this new area and a number of these charities have already made a commitment to work with Mildmay to make a truly life-changing difference to people who are homeless in London.

The Board of Trustees is looking for an assurance that the charity will have a contract to provide its existing services until the end of the financial year. During this time the executive team will work with the Healthy London Partnership and NHS Commissioners to develop a longer-term plan.