Five ways you can help people access healthcare (and feel good) during Lockdown 3.0

England is in lockdown again. With the constant upheaval and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel powerless and overwhelmed.

That’s why we wanted to let you know how Doctors of the World is responding and what you can do to help people who will need to see a doctor during this time.

With many businesses closed and health services under pressure amid rising COVID-19 cases, it’s even harder for the most vulnerable and at-risk people in our communities to access healthcare and support.

Doctors of the World’s services will continue to operate as they have done since March. The advice line will remain open and our clinic team will be on hand to answer questions and support patients to access NHS services.

We’ll also provide medical outreach to at-risk communities in London throughout Lockdown 3.0 and continue to look at new ways to support migrant communities across the UK with translated health information.

Together with the Hands Up for Our Health coalition, Doctors of the World will continue to call for universal and equitable access to the NHS, during COVID-19 and beyond.

Here are five ways you can help vulnerable people access healthcare (and feel good) during Lockdown 3.0.

1. Chip in to keep our clinic and helpline running

During Lockdown 3.0, the helpline will continue to operate remotely, from 10am-midday Monday to Friday, with remote GP consultations available to those patients with urgent health needs. In September, we trialled a new clinic model that will allow our London clinic to operate safely during COVID-19 and we hope to reopen it soon. Chip in to keep our clinic and helpline running.

2. Help us ensure those most at-risk can see a doctor

Our mobile clinic team continues to provide medical outreach to rough sleepers in the City of London. During winter, this work is even more important to see who is still rough sleeping and to offer them emergency accommodation, as well as help to register with a GP and access other services. We’re also supporting asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation, where healthcare access is typically very poor. At a hotel in London, our mobile outreach coordinator Dr Durga is offering urgent health assessments and helping residents to register with a GP. Help us ensure everyone can see a doctor when they need to by letting your GP practice know about our Safe Surgeries initiative.

3. Tackle language barriers with our translated resources

We are updating our coronavirus guidance in over 60 languages and have launched a new translated patient health information hub with scrolling menus that make it easier than ever to navigate our growing library of translated resources. We will continue to update our translated resources and look at new ways to support migrant communities in the UK. You can help by sharing our translated resources with your networks and on social media.

4. Read more about the box that gives babies the best start to life

We’ve partnered with PramDepot to provide our most vulnerable mums and mums to be with emergency baby boxes. They contain high quality recycled baby clothes and equipment, delivered in a box that can then be used as a bed for the baby. Baby boxes are commonplace in Scandinavian countries and Scotland and are touted as a way to reduce the risks of unsafe co-sleeping. Read more about this new partnership and how a simple box can help children get the best start to life.

5. Join the campaign for our health

In October, we launched the Hands Up for Our Health campaign to call for universal and equitable access to the NHS, during COVID-19 and beyond. Our coalition continues to grow, with over 60 organisations signed up. We have three asks for the UK Government: immediately suspend the NHS charging regulations, investigate the impact of NHS charging on patient and public health, and improve access to all NHS services. Will you put your hands up for our health?