Report - Barriers to accessing healthcare support when homeless
People who are homeless have poorer health outcomes as 73% live with a physical health problem and 80% live with a mental health problem.
Reports show that being homeless has a negative impact on someone’s health and not just their living conditions. It is important to add that people who are homeless face increased barriers trying to access the different health and care services they need.
The main barriers being:
- Not having an address and/or documentation.
- Stigma from staff.
- Communication difficulties between staff and individuals.
- Lack of appropriate support for the individual and knowledge of what services are available.
- Who and how to make contact.
- Services inflexibility.
Next Steps
- This report to be published and promoted through normal channels to stakeholder and partners.
- Healthwatch to share this report with NHS via monthly meetings and with West Sussex County Council Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.
- Stonepillow are well placed to devise appropriate training for healthcare staff including receptionists. The aim being to better understand the unpredictable behaviour and some of the causes and challenges for those with complex and challenging conditions.
- The promotion of appropriate information and signposting resources. For these resources to be distributed through appropriate channels. Such as support with health costs when on benefits – prescription, dental, eye care, and travel costs. NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
- Multi-agency approach to create opportunities for professionals to work holistically to support people who are homeless to connect. This could also be a safe space to share challenges that need to be addressed around the specific and varied needs of the homeless community.
Downloads
It is vital that people who are homeless not only get the right accommodation but are supported to access appropriately the healthcare services they need. Download the report to find out how Stonepillow helps promote safe connection and helps the person to develop trust in the organisation.
Report - Barriers to accessing healthcare support when homeless
