In April 2025, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited The Wellspring in Stockport, to see firsthand the services it offers helping the homeless and disadvantaged and Mastercalls GP and Nursing Clinic, providing healthcare to the most vulnerable patients within our community.
During the Mayor’s visit, he emphasised the need for a more supportive and holistic approach to employment services, advocating for the devolution of employment funding to local communities. He proposed transforming Job Centres into “Live Well” centres, which would integrate services such as health support, housing advice, and skills training, aiming to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and improve their overall well-being. This initiative aligns with Greater Manchester’s broader strategy to tackle health and economic inequalities through community-led services and has received a £10 million funding boost to expand its reach across the region.
The Mayor then kindly hosted a round table discussion with Dr Shah-Nawaz Mian (Mastercall’s Deputy Medical Director) re the need for specialist homeless healthcare services within Stockport and Greater Manchester in general.
Dr Mian was able to confirm the ongoing provision of daily ACP/GP clinics on site at the Wellspring and the offer of 24/7 access to Mastercall OOH services for any clients that staff had concerns about.
Dr Mian was able to describe a recent case study of a vulnerable patient with an infected knee wound who refused to attend the emergency department but was able to be assessed and treated within Mastercall’s community services with access to bloods and appropriate antibiotics, confirming that he was recovering well without the need for hospital admission.
Mayor Andy Burham was affirming and encouraging of the Mastercall offer and was keen to visit our main base and we are looking forward to organising a site visit to Mastercall soon.
Watch this space…