What is Project: London?
Doctors of the World UK (DoW UK) launched Project: London, its first healthcare project in Tower Hamlets, east London in January 2006. It is an advocacy project that provides information, advice and practical assistance to vulnerable people, helping them to access the NHS and other services. Project: London volunteer teams also provide basic healthcare to service users in the meantime. The findings from the project will be used to lobby for better service provision for all.
Why is Doctors of the World UK running a healthcare project in the UK?
Following the example of numerous other European delegations, DoW UK recognises that marginalised groups lack access to healthcare in even the wealthiest of countries. Providing care, support, and advocacy for vulnerable and excluded groups in developed countries is a fundamental aspect of our work at DoW.
The UK has the NHS. Why is there a need for your project?
There are still people who have difficulty accessing NHS care. Some people are not entitled to NHS care and this group is likely to grow. Individuals suffering social exclusion often face discouraging barriers to NHS care, and still more simply do not know how to navigate the NHS system. We provide basic healthcare, then link people to available mainstream NHS services. Volunteers often do more than just find a GP, they also find other appropriate facilities.
Why East London?
Our UK offices are based in Tower Hamlets, one of the poorest boroughs in the UK. It's an area where homeless people and new migrants have historically been found. Anna Coote, director of public health at the King's Fund, notes that: if you travel by tube from Westminster out to the end of the Jubilee Line in east London, for each tube station you pass, you lose a year of life expectancy. But Project: London doesn't have a catchment area, thus will accept anyone who presents him or herself at the clinic.
Who benefits from the work of Project: London?
Our volunteers provide healthcare to three main groups of vulnerable people:
- Migrants
- Homeless, especially rough sleepers
- Women working in prostitution
Do you work alone or in conjunction with other organisations?
We work in partnership with three local organisations. We provide basic medical care on their premises for their clients, with the aim of finding these people long-term access to healthcare. These three local organisations currently provide advice, shelter, food and drink and sometimes clothing for the three vulnerable groups (above), with whom they have built up significant trust.
Why would UK medical professionals want to volunteer their time?
Volunteering with Project:London provides medical professionals in the UK with an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people close to home.
The role offers more than the opportunity to be a doctor or a nurse or a support worker;
As a volunteer with Project: London, you are more than a doctor or a nurse or a support worker; you become an advocate.
Not everyone wants to, or can, do voluntary work overseas.
The extensive talks we've had with medical/non-medical professionals show that many would like to use their experience to help these groups, with whom they might not normally come into contact.
What type of volunteers do you need for Project: London?
Medical: Doctors and nurses.
Experience: Doctors must be GMC registered and should have at least two years post-registration experience. Nurses must be registered with the NMC.
Non-medical: Support workers to provide advice; administrators to help run the project's infrastructures.
Experience: Either having worked with, or have an interest in working with, the three target groups.
How much time is required for volunteering? Will my costs be covered? And training?
Four hours every fortnight for minimum of six months (Monday & Wednesday 1 - 5pm)
We can reimburse transport/food costs up to £10 per day, if necessary. Necessary training is also provided.
