Threatened Eastbourne station health centre vaccinates homeless people

Clinicians from Eastbourne Station walk-in health centre are providing the vaccinations for vulnerable people in town as part of a flu prevention intiative.

The health centre

On Thursday night (October 29), staff visited the Salvation Army centre in Langney Road to provide a flu jab outreach clinic for some of the homeless population in Eastbourne.

Debbie Pullinger, manager at Eastbourne Station Health Centre said, “We know that homeless people don’t always have the best access to healthcare, and we already support many members of the homeless community through our centre.

“They are at high risk of developing flu due to the amount of time spent exposed to the elements, and by providing this service hopefully we can help reduce the risk of them falling ill during the winter months.

“Each year in England flu kills on average 11,000 people and hospitalises tens of thousands more, so ensuring as many people as possible have the flu vaccination will help reduce the risk that flu poses to society.”

The vaccinations were given at the Salvation Army centre whilst a hot meal evening was being held.

With Covid-19 in circulation this year, it is even more important than ever that as many people as possible are vaccinated against the flu, as research has shown that if you get both at the same time then you may be more seriously ill.

A total of 18 people received the vaccination, and the team is in the process of arranging another session to ensure they reach as many people as possible.

Run by Integrated Care 24 (IC24), Eastbourne Station Health Centre could close in the near future in a bid for the local NHS group to save funds.

A consultation was launched this year by East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group into the service’s closure.

Many people have spoken out against these plans, with protests being held at the station throughout the year.

Arguments against the closure included the lack of alternative town centre medical facilities for the town’s homeless, as well as a lack of GP spaces in the town.

The results of the consultation and the final decision on the service’s future are expected to be announced in December.

MP speaks out against closure of Eastbourne health centre