Doctor's work with homeless brings New Year's honour

Community champion, local GP and regular Rochdale Online contributor, Dr Zahid Chauhan has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's New Year's Honours List 2020.

Dr Chauhan's work with those of no fixed address plus his creation of the Homeless-Friendly charity, now boasting partners across the region has been recognised. The Homeless-Friendly scheme has given high quality healthcare to rough sleepers – saving the NHS thousands in emergency department resources and saving the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

And the journey to this award began right here in Rochdale – whilst Dr Chauhan was doing his out-of-hours rounds.

“I met a homeless man who was pulling out his own teeth with a pair of pliers in order to relieve severe dental pain. And I have since encountered another homeless man who walked nine miles to Rochdale Infirmary because, without a permanent address, surgeries simply wouldn't see him,” revealed Dr Chauhan.

“With an average life expectancy of just 47 years of age, rough sleepers are in need of the best healthcare physically and mentally. And yet back then, they were receiving the worst provision in our community.”

Dr Chauhan aimed to use his profile as a GP and board member of out-of-hospital service BARDOC to persuade practices to pledge to examine their procedures and make sure they catered fully for homeless people. The results since the programme launched in September 2017 have been nothing short of astounding.

Dr Chauhan continued: “It speaks volumes for the compassion in our healthcare service that we now have hospitals, hospices and surgeries who have made Homeless-Friendly vows. Add to that the businesses, charities, local authorities and even football clubs who have joined the team. Some have staged food banks on their premises and become hubs of help for the homeless, signposting rough sleepers to places where they can find work, accommodation and aid with tackling addiction.”

The charity has worked with organisations such as The Sanctuary Trust on Drake Street; and so proud is Dr Chauhan of the programme's Rochdale roots, that when television show BBC Inside Out came to chart its history – he did his interviews from the steps of Rochdale Town Hall.

Rochdale Online readers will of course know the doctor's work to educate patients better on subjects such as diabetes, fatty liver disease and COPD, through his regular health columns.

Dr Chauhan continued: “I think when you receive an honour of this magnitude, you are always indebted to those who have backed you – and never more than in this case.

“My supportive family, colleagues within health and social care and the community have been so encouraging. And my small Homeless-Friendly team has made a huge impact and enacted a cultural shift towards rough sleepers and yes, saved lives.

“It is to all of these people that I dedicate this honour; it is truly theirs as much as mine.”

He added: “But, like me, they recognise that our society shouldn't need a programme like Homeless-Friendly. In a rich economy like ours' nobody should be living on the streets and facing starvation and hypothermia.

“The Government must do more, large businesses have to show greater moral leadership and we as individuals, have to do all that we can to make sure nobody suffers the pain and the shame of homelessness.”

To work with the Homeless-Friendly charity, please visit: 

• www.homelessfriendly.co.uk