Fulham’s official Club Doctor, Justin Yeoh, has signed up as a volunteer to help homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, the Consultant in Sports & Exercise Medicine (and previous GP) is using his medical experience to support vulnerable individuals placed in protective hotel accommodation by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
H&F Council are working with homelessness charity St Mungo’s, and health and social care organisation Turning Point, to get rough sleepers safely housed in hotel rooms, providing food and medicine and support with mental health, drug and alcohol problems and domestic abuse, as well as looking at longer term housing options.
With all football matches suspended, Fulham is supporting the community response to coronavirus by deploying experts like Dr Yeoh and other members of the FFC medical team whose skills are invaluable in these difficult times.
Dr Yeoh is treating rough sleepers who have been put up in hotels across the capital to keep them safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Many have complex health issues including long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, addiction and mental health problems, and have a higher rate of respiratory issues which puts them more at risk of the virus, say Turning Point and St Mungo’s.
The social care organisation and the charity add that people who are homeless are also far less likely to be able to follow advice on self-isolation, social distancing and handwashing if they don’t have a roof over their heads.
Dr Justin Yeoh said: “Fulham and the Fulham FC Foundation have been working with many key local partners and have been keeping in touch with supporters and people from our neighbourhood.
“Whilst football is currently suspended, I’m glad to have been invited to offer my services to Turning Point and work closely with them, St Mungo’s and the local authority to support the tremendous work being carried out with the homeless in the borough.
“The voluntary work I do is very rewarding for both myself and the patients that gives a little bit of help to those in need. If any other healthcare professionals wish to help too, then get in touch at daws@turning-point.co.uk. Finally, do remember to follow the guidelines on social distancing – ‘stay home and save lives!’”
Dr Mohammed Al-Saidi, Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist at Turning Point, said: “Dr Yeoh’s support on our clinical team is a great opportunity to reach some of the most vulnerable people in society. This is a crucial step for many to get off the streets for good.”
Marie Dennehy, Senior Service Manager at St Mungo’s, said: “Our St Mungo’s teams are working round the clock to support over 1,000 people who were living on the streets or in emergency hubs now in hotel accommodation in London.
“Thanks to our excellent Hammersmith emergency hotel team, partnership working and the support of Dr Yeoh, vulnerable people are in a place where they can self-isolate in safety, are out of harm’s way and have the support they need to move away from rough sleeping for good.”