Hilary Howard reveals how a practice nurse has joined health visitors in a community team to improve access to primary care services for homeless families in Croydon in an award winning formula

Croydon has a diverse indigenous population. Some GP practices in the north of the borough, for example, have 55 per cent ethnicity (Director of Public Health 2002). The combination of the Home Office being based locally and large multiple occupancy property being competitively priced has meant Croydon has had a significant history of accommodating asylum seekers and refugees (Directorate of Public Health 1999). In March 2003, Croydon had three dispersal units and emergency accommodation for over 800 asylum seekers. Approximately 570 of those clients will stay in the area for eight weeks prior to dispersal, to be regularly replaced by people referred from the Migrant Helpline who have an office in Croydon.