Voiceless, unheard and socially excluded: Accessing health and care while homeless or vulnerably housed
Understanding the challenge
For people experiencing homelessness, social exclusion and stigma frequently exacerbate their deteriorating health and contribute to preventable deaths. Shockingly, recent findings indicate that the average age of death for people experiencing long-term rough sleeping is just 46 for men and 42 for women (Source: Pathway, March 2024).
Listening to local people to inform positive change
To better understand these challenges, we conducted a ten-week project from January to March 2024. During this period, we visited health, community and homeless support services in Bournemouth, engaging directly with 26 people who are currently experiencing homelessness or living in vulnerable housing, as well as seven health professionals and support workers.
The report is rich with firsthand accounts of the daily struggles faced by those attempting to access health and care services. As one service user poignantly shared, “There is no accountability for people who are dying on the streets. Services are very limited to us and there is no governing body who can challenge a service on our behalf.”
Recommendations
- Integrated neighbourhood services: Co-design and co-deliver services with people who have lived experience of homelessness to improve local health and social care.
- Empathetic, person-centred care: Train hospital staff to provide inclusive, non-judgmental care that addresses health inequalities, including better understanding and management of addiction withdrawal.
- Removing systemic barriers: Ensure processes are in place to support people experiencing homelessness in registering with a GP or dentist.
- Improving accessibility: Enhance support for health and care providers to meet individuals’ communication and information needs, and circumstances.
- Innovative service provision: NHS Dorset should collaborate with the GP Alliance and local homeless support services to provide more flexible healthcare options, particularly for wound and skin care.
Read our report
If you would like this report in a different format, email enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102.
