DEATH ON THE STREETS
New research sheds light on how services are failing rough sleepers
HEALTHCARE is failing people who sleep rough on the streets, a new report has found.
Official estimates from the ONS show that two homeless people now die every day across England and Wales - with 726 deaths recorded in 2018 alone.
The figure has soared in recent years, rising from 597 deaths in 2017, and is at its highest level since comparable figures began in 2013.
When these figures were first released, the chief executive of Crisis Jon Sparkes said: “It is heartbreaking that hundreds of people were forced to spend the last days of their lives without the dignity of a secure home.
“Behind these statistics are human beings, who like all of us had talents and ambitions. They shouldn’t be dying unnoticed and unaccounted for.
“It’s crucial that the Government urgently expand their safeguarding systems.
“Because in this day and age there is no excuse for anyone dying without a safe place to call home.”
The rise in deaths is mainly due to a substantial increase in the number of people sleeping rough over the last decade.
However, independent research from the King’s Fund commissioned by the government in response to the figures - shows that these individuals also have complex and multiple health and care needs that all too often are not met.
Many of the deaths are early and avoidable, caused by preventable and treatable conditions.
By far the most common cause was accidents, with homeless people seven times more likely to die from a fall compared to the general population.
The second most common cause was intentional self-harm, with homeless people 14 times more likely to die by suicide.
Homeless people are also 20 times more likely to die as a result of drug use.
Meanwhile, the average age at death was 45 years for male rough sleepers and 43 years for females more than 30 years too soon compared to the national average.
Among the general population of England and Wales, the average age at death was 76 years for men and 81 years for women.
As well as many rough sleepers experiencing a combination of physical and mental ill health and drug or alcohol dependency, they often face barriers to accessing health and care services.
That might include the attitudes of some staff, complex administration processes and previous negative experiences, which mean continuity of care is a challenge and health issues may not be picked up until they come acute.
The report identified five key areas to delivering effective health and care services to homeless people.
They believe any area can make progress if it: takes steps to find and engage people sleeping rough; builds and supports its workforce to go above and beyond existing service limitations; prioritises relationships; tailors the local response to people sleeping rough; and uses the full power of commissioning.
Ultimately, a person cannot achieve good physical and mental health without a safe and stable home, but health problems can also be a cause of homelessness or a barrier to exiting rough sleeping.
There is a need for an integrated response across a wide range of partners including health services, local government, charities, police and the wider local community.