BLACKPOOL'S pioneering health care team for the homeless is setting up a clinic specially to reach out to the resort's young drifters.

This is the latest in a series of health schemes for the homeless from the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Trust team, which just won a Queen's Nursing Institute award for innovation.

Its new weekly clinic at the Street Life Centre, Church Street, is aimed at helping youngsters who will not attend existing clinics at the Salvation Army Citadel because they are too intimidated by older people who do attend.

Health visitor Pam Greenhill said: "We're calling it an outreach clinic because we can't expect youngsters to come to us. We have to take health care to them. The clinic will be a safer, less-threatening option for them." The Street Life Centre offers a night-shelter and services for the younger homeless at The Base. The clinic, opening on Monday afternoons from next month, will provide dressings, mental health support and advice, pregnancy testing, contraceptive information, treatment for infestations and help registering with a GP.

It will train voluntary workers who deal with the homeless to pass on advice in such cases as hepatitis or testicular and breast-cancer screening.

Health Trust chief executive Philip Scully said: "The work of the team in the forefront of health care for people on the margins has now received the national recognition it deserves and mentions in many health journals, putting Blackpool on the map.

"It's exciting to see the work develop even further. As a trust we have a very real commitment to move out into the community, work in partnership with volunteers, and provide health care where it is so desperately needed."

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