Description

Homelessness is a major public health issue and the
health needs of those sleeping rough pose particular
challenges. This article describes a national review of
Directors of Public Health in England carried out in
2000/1. The purpose of the review was to provide a
baseline description of services for homeless people who sleep
rough and to identify best practice as well as current problems
to assist policy development in primary health care to meet
the needs of homeless people.

The results of the review demonstrated higher levels of
awareness in the parts of the country with identified
populations of homeless people who sleep rough, but also the
gaps in service provision. Shifting the Balance of Power
offers opportunities for new and targeted ways of working
across sectors and agencies to address the health problems
faced by homeless people who sleep rough. PMS pilots
contributed to this picture. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)
will need to know their populations, to understand their
patterns of homelessness and existing service provision and to
work with partners in general practice, local government and
the voluntary sector to address these needs. This is an area
of work which could be taken forward by PCT Directors of
Public Health working with public health teams to address
the health needs of this vulnerable group in their population.