Tiglin Teams Up With Dr. Feelgood On Wheels

Phil Thompson, Nicola Perry and Aubrey McCarthy

atest press release from Tiglin, issued on Thursday, May 7th 2026…

More than ten people experiencing homelessness die every month in Ireland.

Today, on International Harm Reduction Day, Tiglin is taking a stand against these preventable deaths by hosting a specialised mobile health clinic at its Greystones facility, focusing on the undiagnosed “silent killers” that disproportionately affect the marginalised.

In a powerful display of interagency collaboration, Tiglin, one of Ireland’s leading providers of homelessness and addiction services partnered with Safetynet Primary Care to bring a Mobile Health and Screening Unit (MHSU) directly to those who often feel excluded from the traditional healthcare system.

A Health-Led Response to Marginalisation
For those impacted by homelessness and addiction, the barriers to healthcare are often insurmountable. Fear of stigma, the complexity of the medical system, and the daily struggle for survival mean that chronic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory issues, and diabetes frequently go undiagnosed until it is too late.

The latest Health Research Board data reveals a stark reality: of the 124 premature deaths among homeless people in a single year, nearly two-thirds were not caused by drug poisonings. Instead, they were caused by treatable physical ailments that reached a crisis point due to a lack of early intervention.

“Recovery is a hollow word if we ignore the physical health of the person standing in front of us,” said Phil Thompson, Co-founder & CEO of Tiglin. “By bringing the clinic to Greystones, we are breaking down walls down between our service users and health care opportunities. We aren’t just treating personal problems like addiction, we are treating the whole human being.”

The Power of Collaboration
The event highlights the vital importance of interagency work. By combining Tiglin’s trusted relationship with the local community and Safetynet’s clinical expertise, the initiative reached individuals who might otherwise engage with medical help.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy co-founder of Tiglin and Independent Senator, joined the team on-site to witness the impact of this health-led approach.

“We see it far too often: a person survives deeply challenging and often life threatening situations of homelessness, only to be taken by a preventable heart condition or complications from diabetes because they weren’t screened five years ago,” Senator McCarthy stated. “This collaboration with Safetynet is life saving work. It’s about dignity. Every person who walked into that mobile unit today received the message that their life is worth protecting.”

Screening for Survival
The mobile clinic offered free, confidential screenings for:

⦿ Cardiovascular health and blood pressure

⦿ Diabetes and blood sugar monitoring

⦿ Blood-borne viruses and respiratory health

The success of the day reinforces the need for the National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029 to prioritise and fund outreach models. When healthcare is brought to the places where people feel safe like Tiglin’s Greystones centre, the uptake is immediate and effective.

Nicola Perry, CEO of Safetynet Primary Care, added: “Harm reduction isn’t just about safe practices; it’s about health equity. Our partnership with Tiglin proves that when you remove the barriers of a system not designed for the marginalized, people engage. This is the blueprint for reducing preventable deaths in Ireland.”

About Tiglin
Founded in 2008 by Senator Aubrey McCarthy and Phil Thompson, Tiglin provides holistic support for individuals moving out of homelessness and addiction. Tiglin focuses on homeless outreach, housing, education, employment, and comprehensive health-led recovery.

About Safetynet Primary Care
Safetynet is Ireland’s leading inclusion health charity, providing primary care to those with the poorest health outcomes, including people experiencing homelessness, Roma, and International Protection applicants. More here.

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