There’s a new program in Santa Barbara County that’s helping homeless people recover after leaving the hospital.
Cottage Health has partnered with PATH Santa Barbara – an organization aimed at ending homelessness -- to launch the Cottage Recuperative Care Program.
PATH is providing up to 10 beds at its facility for homeless patients who have been discharged from Cottage hospitals in Santa Barbara, Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. Cottage staff including a nurse, community health navigator and doctor help run it.
“For patients who have a medical crisis who are homeless, when they leave the hospital, they are from well enough to stay safe and healthy out in the community. So, a program like this is absolutely critical to keep patients on that good track,” said the program’s medical director Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons.
The hope is that this safe and supportive environment will reduce the need for these homeless patients to return to the hospital.