Our vision: better health for homeless people

Homeless Link calls for commissioners to work better together to improve the health outcomes for homeless people.

Our research has shown that 8 in 10 homeless people have a physical health need, while 7 in 10 have a mental health need. The Department of Health estimates that these health problems cost four to eight times more than the general population to address.
 
As the debate heats up around the Health and Social Care Bill, we have today (15 February) published a paper that sets out our vision for an NHS where:
 
• every homeless person gets the support they need to have a healthier life
• services work together to prevent individuals from ending up on our streets
 
Helping homeless people regain their health: our vision for a better NHS includes recommendations and practical tips for commissioners and providers to work together and ensure the health needs of homeless people are at the centre of their care. 
 
The report recommends that:
 
• All health bodies include and respond to the needs of homeless people
• The right services are in place and can be accessed by homeless people
• Homeless people receive a better standard of healthcare
• Integration, not competition, is at the heart of the health service 
 
Alice Evans, Head of Policy at Homeless Link, says: 
 
“It is not acceptable for homeless people to be missed out of our health service. By shutting them out of everyday services, many homeless people end up relying on expensive emergency services to meet their chronic health needs. We welcome the coalition government’s commitment to reducing health inequalities and improving the health of the poorest, the fastest, but we must act quickly if we want to achieve this. 

“Our vision for improving the health of homeless people ensures that their health needs are recognised throughout the implementation of the health reforms. If health and homeless services can work together not only will we be improving the wellbeing of hundreds of individuals, but the cost of these services to the public purse will also be reduced.”
 
The Vision Paper paper forms part of our ongoing work around health; last year we called for amendments to be made to the Health and Social Care Bill following our national Health Needs Audit, which responded to the gap in evidence about homeless people’s health. Following this we produced a briefing for local authorities to ensure the needs of homeless people in the JSNA process.
 
 
ENDS