Homeless Primary Care Team

Healthcare that comes to you' — GP and nursing services for rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness, with clear pathways into hospital care when needed.

How this service helps

The Homeless Primary Care Team (HPCT) provides GP and nursing services to rough sleepers, people who are homeless, international protection applicants, refugees and individuals with mental health challenges who do not have access to healthcare. HPCT works closely with the Inclusion Health teams in St James’s Hospital and in the Mater Hospital to ensure there are appropriate pathways in and out of hospital care.

The service is funded by HSE Social Inclusion (Dublin & Midlands), and its rationale is to bring health services close to the people who need them. This is based on evidence that people who are homeless or rough sleeping have different needs than the general housed population and a very high burden of ill health. HPCT has been tailored to the needs of this vulnerable group.

Outreach Services

Outreach clinics bring primary healthcare services to marginalised populations. Currently, this service attends to rough sleepers, international protection applicants, refugees, individuals with mental health challenges, several of whom also have concurrent issues with substance misuse, and do not have access to healthcare.

The service facilitates onward referral to In-Reach, Open Access and mainstream health services as well as investigations and follow-up. The service works closely with others serving the target groups (Dublin Simon Outreach, St. James’s & MMUH Inclusion Health team and HSE Social Inclusion).

Daytime Outreach

The Mobile Health Unit identifies people who are sleeping rough who may be more accessible for our team to visit during the day or who require further follow-up from the MHU.

Epilepsy Outreach 

The Epilepsy Outreach Service is run with the neurology team at St James’s Hospital and the clinical nurse manager of Safetynet’s HPCT. The team visits patients who are unable to make the epilepsy clinics in St James’s Hospital due to their circumstances.

Mobile Health Unit (MHU) Evening Outreach

This Mobile Health Unit comprises a van with a fully kitted-out clinic room and waiting area, which travels to areas where rough sleepers frequent. It offers GP, nursing and project worker services, with interpreters available to assist patients where needed. Safetynet operates the Mobile Health Unit three nights a week, working closely with the Dublin Simon Community and city centre hostels. We maximise consultation opportunities by linking in with services open in the evening and locating ourselves nearby.

Inreach Services

In-Reach Services are a vital component of Safetynet’s efforts to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness or significant barriers to healthcare can receive accessible, high-quality medical support. By delivering GP and nursing clinics directly within established drop-in centres throughout Dublin, these services bridge the gap for those who may not engage with mainstream health facilities, offering not only immediate care but also comprehensive case management tailored to complex health needs.

Drop-in Clinics

Safetynet provides clinics in drop-in centres in Dublin, including Merchants Quay Ireland, the Medically Supervised Injecting Facility, Mendicity and Jane’s Place. The team offers GP and nursing clinics, individual follow-up and mental health case management.

Complex Case Management 

This referral service provides drop-in primary care services by a GP and nurse to homeless patients with complex medical needs, who are not engaging in mainstream services or do not have access to primary care services. The aim of the service is to develop an integrated healthcare plan in partnership with the referral agency and will provide support to patients with poorly managed chronic diseases. 

Our mobile health unit brings healthcare to people experiencing homelessness and social exclusion across Dublin City.

Service Access & Opening Times

    • Tues – 7pm – 10pm –Mendicity Institute

    • Wed – 7pm – 10pm – Lighthouse Café 

    • Thurs – 7pm – 10pm – Mendicity Institute

    • Mon: 9.00am – 12.00pm 

    • Mon: 2.00pm – 4.30pm 

    • Fri: 2.00pm – 4.30pm 

    • Mon – Thurs: 2.00pm – 5.00pm 

    • Fri: 9.00am – 12.00pm 

    • Tues: 9.00am – 12.00pm

    • Wed: 9.00am – 12.00pm


  • Please email inreach@primarycaresafetynet.ie to inquire about referral to the team.  If deemed appropriate, a referral form will be sent.

Services we provide

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