Discharging homeless back onto streets ‘can damage health’

The majority of homeless people who are treated in hospital are discharged back onto the streets, which can be harmful to their health.

A new report commissioned by the Department of Health reveals this is the case for 70 percent of patients without a fixed abode.

The study by charities Homeless Link and St Mungo's advises more should be done to prevent people at risk of sleeping rough from being released from hospital without accommodation in place.

It will be used to inform the National Inclusion Health Board and includes examples of best practice that can be built upon to ensure NHS staff are able to improve health outcomes for homeless patients, ultimately saving the service money.

"Patching a person up and sending them out without a plan makes no sense," stated care services minister Paul Burstow, adding some facilities are "doing brilliant work to join up care and support and reduce the cycle of revolving door admissions".

Interim chief executive of Homeless Link Matt Harrison stated appropriate and secure accommodation should be in place before a patient is discharged and "support in place for their ongoing medical care".