HOMELESSNESS

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HOMELESSNESS
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Aims of the session

• To increase GP awareness of the homeless

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Objectives

• To learn more about the scale of the problem
• To understand the types of people that become
  homeless
• To be able to describe the health needs of the
  homeless
• Understand the relevance of this topic to us as
  GPs
• Learn more about local services

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MRCGP 2002

• Who are the homeless?
• Describe their health needs.
• What are the difficulties in accessing care.
• What measures could be taken to improve their
  health.

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Who are the homeless?
The Overt Have no place of abode of their
own Sleep on the streets The Covert ( Hidden
Homelessness) Have no place of abode of their
own But sleep not on the streets but at various
places eg friends,
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Physical Problems in the Homeless

• TB, and hepatitis
• Poor condition of teeth, and feet, skin diseases
• Respiratory problems
• Injuries following violence and infections
• Malnutrition

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Psychological Problems in the Homeless

• Serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia
• Depression
• Personality disorders
• Affects of abuse, sexual/physical/mental, victims
  of torture particularly asylum seekers

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Social Problems in the Homeless

• Drug dependency
• Alcohol dependency
• Police/probation problems
• Relationship problems/lack of support or families
• Unemployment
• Lack of education
• Prostitution

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What are the difficulties of Homeless People in
accessing care?

• Registration problems
• Unable to receive hospital appointments
• Move from area to area, no continuity of care
• No transport
• Chaotic lifestyle, difficult time keeping

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Measures to improve health in the Homeless

• No need for address to register
• Involve voluntary sector
• Have a lead person in PCT
• Train health care professionals eg increase
  awareness of needs
• Specialist service provision