Karen Jordan explains how a holistic model has enabled nurses to reach disadvantaged clients such as those with alcohol and substance misuse problems

Spectrum Community Health Community Interest Company has set up a wellbeing team and devised a model that includes care pathways to improve health outcomes for vulnerable people. The service is a flexible and mobile one-stop-shop, providing early, proactive interventions to reduce harm, improve outcomes and generate cost savings. The aim is to empower clients with long-term conditions who fail to access mainstream services to take responsibility for their health. The model takes a holistic view, taking into account a range of factors that affect health, such as housing, benefits and social services. The team also acts as an advocate for clients.