Services
13 beds
Alcohol & benzodiazepine detox
47 beds
Recovery
8 beds
Blood Borne
Virus Unit
22 beds
Step Up Step Down Intermediate Care
10 beds
Stabilisation
Primary
Nursing Care
Sure Steps Counselling
& Suicide Prevention Services
Client Development
Health & Wellbeing
This facility of 5,889 sq./m, 6 floors over basement will assist in providing an additional 49 high support short-stay health (Intermediate care beds), addiction treatment, stabilisation & recovery beds along with housing support and complementary services (health and wellbeing, counselling, aftercare, literacy & client development).
These services aim to support adults who find themselves homeless and who are living with complex health and addiction issues to address their addictions, improve their overall health and wellbeing and begin the transition out of homelessness. The services deliver on national policy in relation to health, homelessness and drugs.
Why Usher’s Island
In the most recent rough sleeping count, a total of 118 people were counted as sleeping rough in the capital. Dublin Simon is also the provider of the Assertive Outreach Service in Dublin and as such, we can provide cohesive links between Outreach teams and our health and addiction services.
Our experience in recent years shows Detox, the Blood Borne Virus Unit and Sure Steps Counselling are the services more commonly referred to by Outreach, reflecting the acute effects of rough sleeping on a person’s physical and mental health.
Given the numbers of homeless adults in Dublin alone it is prudent that we continue to provide services in the geographical area of greatest need in Greater Dublin area.
New Services
Stabilisation
10 bed service facilitating adults with complex addictions who wish to stabilise their drug use and get onto a pathway of maintaining stability and eventually move towards becoming drug and alcohol-free.
Step Up Step Down
Additional 10 beds Intermediate Care Step down (from Hospital) and Step Up from the community (GPS, Primary care, Addiction treatment/ clinics) for people who have a health condition that is resolvable in 3 to 5 weeks.
Why These Type of Services?
The purpose of the 100 bed Health and Addiction Care facility is to provide much needed beds in the greater Dublin Area for adults experiencing homelessness to address their health, wellbeing and addiction needs so as to start the journey of transitioning out of homelessness.
The most recent figures show an overall adult population of 6,790 accessing emergency accommodation during a snapshot week in November in Dublin. Of these, 4,316 are single adults- the core group that makes up the majority of Dublin Simon’s client base. Approximately 870 people are expected to access the new facility at Ushers Island annually, with an average of 80 people availing of a health or addiction treatment bed on any given night.
The “Report of premature deaths among homeless people” published, May 2023 by the Health Research Board highlights the role of substance use and the high levels of mental health and medical issues among those who died, showing that this is a vulnerable population with complex needs.
The findings can help shape responses across healthcare services: for example, strengthening mental health supports; enhancing harm reduction and addressing barriers to access and retention in treatment services. Furthermore in 2019 in the same report relating to premature mortality among homeless population there were 84 deaths reported to the coroners with 59% of deaths occurring in Dublin. (7 death’s a month).
The Facility
The new 100 bed facility will enable Dublin Simon’s recovery service to expand from 20 to 47 beds providing a pathway from Detox and Stabilisation services through Recovery and out of homelessness.
The building follows HIQA standards, is part M Wheelchair accessible and has a full DAC (Disability Access Certificate.)
This landmark building improves the profile of the south quays and the gateway into Dublin city. Its high-quality finish and furnishings offer a non-institutional feel which has been future-proofed for any change of use requirements long term (subject to funding).
Outcomes
Highly cost effective when compared to general accute beds with annual projected savings € 19-22 million or 59-67% in savings generated.
Reduce demand and repeat presentations at emergency departments.
Decrease in complications caused by unplanned discharges from hospital and facilitating earlier discharge from hospital.
Reduction in ambulance call outs generally and to homeless services
Relieves bed capacity at local acute hospitals and savings in inpatient bed days of 32,850.