Joseph Cowen Healthcare Centre

Background

The Joseph Cowen Healthcare Centre is a multi agency initiative aimed at providing accessible and appropriate health, housing and social care services to those who are homeless, inappropriately housed or those who cannot register with a GP. The service is a joint project between statutory health and social care services and Byker Bridge Housing Association.

The Joseph Cowen Healthcare Centre moved to Wilfred Street during 1996 and Byker Bridge Housing Association took over management of the service later that year.

Since 2002 the demand for services has grown and opening hours have been extended and the range of outreach services expanded.

Services

The centre is open Monday to Friday and operates on an open drop in basis. Services include daily access to a GP, Community Psychiatric Nurse, bathing facilities, clothes store, needle exchange and women only facilities.

Project staff are on hand to offer advice and support on a wide range of issues including; general health, mental health and sexual health, housing issues, welfare benefits and information on other local services available. Help can also be given in registering with a local doctor and how to access other health and social care services.

Outreach services are provided at other homeless projects in Newcastle.

Project staff also provide outreach services on the streets of Newcastle to try to engage the homeless in accessing healthcare services and encourage the use of the Joseph Cowen Healthcare Centre. Staff also provide this service on the streets of North Tyneside.

Joseph Cowen Healthcare Centre

8 WILFRED STREET

BYKER

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

NE6 1JQ

Opening hours are :

Monday - Friday : 8.00am – 4.00pm

Tel: (0191) 228 4929