Homeless people placement : Hastings.

I almost forgotten that I had a homeless people clinical placement. But, thanks to my trusted companion phone/organiser to remind me. I was fiddling with it the night before and I saw "Hastings homeless placement at 9.30am". Got myself ready with all the necessary documents and guide plus train timetable.

Woke up early around 7am, got ready and had my breakfast. Packed myself some sandwiches for lunch, a tiny tub of yoghurt and a carton of Tropicana juice. Made my way to the station around 8.15am and arrived at the station a little early for my 8.40am train. Although I had enough time to catch the 8.20am train, but I thought I'm giving myself enough time to arrive at the shelter around 9.30am.

The journey to St. Leonard Warriors Square (SLQ) took approximately 25minutes. It was indeed a terribly cold morning although the sun was shining bright. The environment in SLQ was very far different from many other places I have been in the UK. It was very much more quiet but not in a nice way. Rather, it made me feel much insecure as it was no doubt a rough town. It's filled with addicts, homeless, gangs and ghettos. Any non-English faces were hardly to be found.

Thanks to Google-maps for making my life such easy. I printed my journey out the night before and spotted it on immediately according to the map. It was like having SatNav in hand.

Knocked on the door, I was greeted by Roger, the senior nurse practitioner at the shelter. The shelter is called The Seaview Project of Hastings and is join-runned by St.John's Ambulance. This place provide shelter (altho no lodging provided) for homeless where they can get help on anything that is possibly related to their needs such as counselling, renting advice, medical help including podiatry and sexual health clinic, cheap food, shower and hot meals facilities. Besides, the people there who are mostly volunteers help to accommodate the needs of whoever may need it like attorney, probation and welfare arrangements and such. This place caters for homeless, ex-prisoners, mentally challenged persons and many more. Although the place yet to be specifically defined, it is clearly does more than just a shelter.

On arrival, I was taken for an orientation tour including for health and safety purposes by Jodie (the volunteer podiatrist who supervised me). I was introduced to the caretaker, CEO, the cook and the people there. In the common room, it looked more like a prison and the image was similar to those prison images we get on movies. Like rough women in a group over pool table and such. They look scary I must admit. Professionally, I had to look confident, and besides I was trained for any anticipated emergencies.

Patients normally come either walk-in or by appointment. Cases range from basic care, to far more complicated cases. Normally patients would have histories like drug abuse and addiction, alcoholics, HIV and AIDS positive, Hepatitis, psychiatric problems and history of being sexually or physically abused.

The moment I stepped into that shelter, my thoughts were already running wild. I started to reflect upon things like how it is different from Brunei, let alone having to meet a current addict on Heroin. I was at the common room as I had to leave the treatment room whilst Jodie attended girl who wanted to talk about her current personal problem. Whilst I was out there, I met a couple of people, introduced myself and immediately built up a friendly conversation. Walking around further was when I met this lady. She asked me if I was from the university as I stood out of the crowd with clean white polo shirt and my name tag and a student ID. She stopped me and asked what was I doing there. So I explained that I was a Podiatry student doing an observation study. So she thought she needed attention on her feet.

A brief history:

A lady in her late 30's who is complaining of pain in her feet which she thought to be corns. Generally not feeling well but fully orientated and fully conscious. She has a family history of diabetes and osteoporosis from parents.

Socially: have been homeless for the last 2 years living under one of the bridges in town. Occasionally gets to stay at a friend's house during the weekends where she gains access to hot shower. Hot meals once a day either from the project house or the salvation army centre. Living on heroin for the last 20 years (on and off). Sexually active with one partner who is also a homeless. Has one 5 year old daughter.

On examination: Body looks emaciated with signs of bullimia (as verbalised by client). Both feet look pale and cold but no signs of diminished circulatory function. Medically, no diabetes, early signs of arthritis on 1st ray, osteoporosis and malnourished. B/F nails are long and no signs of anhidrosis or dermatological conditions present, although interdigital may potentially mascerated. Currently have stopped on heroin for 3 months with help of *sumthing I can't remember*. HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis results were negative.

Treatment rendered: basic chiropodial routine, gave her advice on foot care. Supplied her with new pair of socks and shoes.

Whilst I was listening to her interview, it really made me mouth shut and to be so grateful to what and where I am now. It was like a story line from a movie. We are so far very much fortunate to live on such luxury of having proper footwear, clothing and even foods that we normally waste. Searching for used shoes that were suitable for her struck me even further down like how we wasted so much on luxury branded shoes where as there are people out there who haven't got a proper pair to wear in this crazily cold country. I just couldn't imagine how they could tolerate life in such a hardship.

Some might argue about them being addicts, but I have never ever put that in my mind as I don't like being a prejudice for being a Professionally Trained Podiatrist. However, we need to think rationally based on the patient's interview. It is obvious from interviews to determine whether patients are really willing to change and help themselves. There are many amazing stories where addicts who never attended school, lived in hardship of abuse and poverty and end up as a successful millionaire. Truly inspirational.

I finished the session just before 1pm. I headed the train station immediately to catch the next train moving towards London where it stops at Eastbourne. Had my lunch munch in the train and arrived at uni, enough time for my next session. It was indeed a good one!

With that, it also gave me a first hand experience on the demand of my current essay which entitles "The social and psychological influences on an individual's physical health".