Stephen Metcalfe,
local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed the news that
homeless people are to receive better help once they leave hospital thanks to
£10million funding from the Government.
It is estimated that 70 per cent of homeless people are
currently discharged from hospital back onto the street without their health
and housing problems being properly addressed.
The funding pot will support voluntary organisations to work
with the NHS and local authorities to create services to ensure that homeless
people receive the best possible support and care after leaving hospital.
The £10million funding will also be used to ensure better
intermediate care is available after discharge - vital for recovering from
health problems such as TB.
Housing Minister Mark Prisk said: “This country has some of
the strongest protections against homelessness in the world, but there is
always more to do. That is why we are working right across Government to make
sure that every contact counts.
“Backed by £470 million Government investment in
homelessness prevention, today’s funding will ensure vulnerable people are put
in touch with the right help early on, getting their lives back on track,
saving the need for repeat treatment.”
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, commented:
“This investment is fantastic news and will go a long way in addressing
a real issue around the way the NHS deals with homeless people leaving
hospital. Patching people up and sending them back out to the streets where their
problems will recur only leads to readmission and continued problems.”
“This issue has existed for too
long. We hope this investment will be the catalyst for hospitals, councils and
charities to work together to stop this cycle of homelessness, poor health and
readmission once and for all.”
Stephen Metcalfe MP added: “This
really is great news for homeless people up and down the country. The ill
health of homeless people is extreme and disproportionate and I am delighted
that the Government is so committed to addressing it.”
Homeless
people attend A&E six times more than people with a home and are
admitted to hospital four times as often. The cost of
treating them in hospital is eight times higher than average at £85 million.
