Treat them as you would anyone else
Walking out of one of the City Centre car parks with my family one Saturday afternoon I noticed someone lying in a ‘foetal position’ in the middle of the pavement just outside the car park. As I walked towards the person unsure if they were someone I recognised, I was shocked as people just stepped over him or walked onto the road to avoid him seemingly oblivious to his situation. It appeared that he was almost invisible to others as people went about their usual business. On another occasion I came across a young male outside one of the department stores who appeared to have been rough sleeping but was lying with his legs out across the pavement while members of the public just stepped over him. I approached him and tried to obtain a response, this gentleman was breathing but unresponsive and clearly had altered levels of consciousness and was at significant risk – an ambulance was called...
I questioned in my own mind why this was occurring, I felt sure that if this were any other member of public they would have been treated differently. Surely if they had been a ‘well-presented older person’ or a young woman someone would have stopped to check on them? In a City where there is so such warmth, kindness and generosity regularly shown by members of the public towards our vulnerable patients I considered why this was occurring?
Talking with colleagues and discussing these questions I came to the conclusion that the invisibility of our clients may often be due to fear, lack of understanding and more than anything people just not knowing what to do…
I think all of us who work in the outreach teams at times have shared this anxiety and of course we are privileged to know and understand a little more about the amazing, interesting and diverse people whom we are working with.
I guess my plea therefore is if you see someone who appears unwell or unresponsive, treat them as you would any other member of the public, obviously be mindful of your own safety and your surroundings. If you don’t feel confident to approach them but are concerned, contact Police or the Ambulance Service directly. Words of kindness go a long way to help people. If you see individuals rough sleeping you can also make services aware on the Street Link Website. If however, you have any immediate concerns for their safety or wellbeing please alert the Police or Ambulance Service on 101/111/999.
Jenny Walker is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and is part of the Pathways team.