Helping someone who is homeless access healthcare
On any one night in England, over 4,700 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on our streets. The Healthwatch network looks at the common issues found by people who do not have a place to call home when it comes to getting the support they need for health and care.
Experiencing homelessness can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health, so it’s important that people are able to access support.
How can health and social care professionals help?
People who have faced homelessness have told their local Healthwatch that they can experience problems accessing services. If you work for an NHS or social care service there are several steps you and your colleague can take to help.
Enable people to register with their GP
People have told us that they have not been able to register with an NHS general practice because they lack identification or do not have a permanent address.
