Improving the Health of the Homeless and How to Achieve It within the New NHS Architecture

Abstract

The publication of the National Health Service (NHS) Long Term Plan sees the creation of Primary Care Networks as the most appropriate solution to help improve overall health and address health inequalities. A key segment of society that suffers from poor health is the homeless. While the potential for the group to benefit from the NHS reform policy programme in England exists, it requires stronger collaborative working between the health and social care sectors Not least the new arrangements provide opportunities to tackle existing disease as well as the determinants of future ill health. However, if the policy vision is to be achieved, relations between the two sectors must occur and cross sector boundaries be broken down.

Necessidades Da População Em Situação De Rua E O Desafio Da Abordagem Intersetorial

“…Batchelor P, Kingsland J 16 O estudo aborda as principais necessidades sociais e de saúde da população em situação de rua, e sugere uma análise política compartilhada, uma linguagem comum e uma estrutura de ação para a superação da fragmentação e do não atendimento. A cooperação, a prática colaborativa entre os profissionais, a abordagem ampla dos determinantes sociais e a capacitação para o trabalho em parceria são apontados como elementos para melhorar a saúde e a enfrentar as desigualdades da PSR.…”

Collaboration between general practitioners and social workers: a scoping review

“…The two most advanced collaborations are realised in the UK and Canada. Routine enactment is implemented in the UK, in particular established with social prescribing66 75 and Primary Care Networks76 embedded in the National Health Service (NHS) Long Term Plan 77. In Ontario, Canada, Family Health Teams provide community-oriented primary health services 43 55 78.…”

Using financial incentives to support service engagement of adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness: A qualitative analysis of key stakeholder perspectives

“…Adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness face significantly worse health and health outcomes compared to the general population, including increased prevalence and severity of chronic health conditions, comorbid alcohol and substance use disorders, neurocognitive impairment and premature mortality 1–3 . Engaging this population in health services is challenging due to transiency in housing, complex health needs, financial barriers, limited availability of tailored and appropriate services and stigma and discrimination 4–8 . In addition, the literature on interventions to improve service engagement among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness is limited.…”

“… 1 , 2 , 3 Engaging this population in health services is challenging due to transiency in housing, complex health needs, financial barriers, limited availability of tailored and appropriate services and stigma and discrimination. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 In addition, the literature on interventions to improve service engagement among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness is limited. As low levels of engagement are associated with a range of poor outcomes, including greater illness severity, lower quality of life and higher rates of acute care use, 6 , 9 , 10 implementing strategies to improve service engagement of this population remains a priority across healthcare and social service settings.…”