St Mungo’s welcomes the Conservative Party’s Homelessness Foundation report

11 September 2008

Commenting on the Conservative Party's Homelessness Foundation Report, St Mungo's Chief Executive Charles Fraser CBE said:

"St Mungo's congratulates the Conservative Party for raising the vital issue of access to healthcare for the homeless with the publication of this report. It is of particular relevance as it coincides with St Mungo's Health Action Week which included the launch of our own report and strategy.

Homeless people suffer from a uniquely complex set of health problems which require a wide range of medical attention. St Mungo's report 'Homelessness: it makes you sick' highlights the severe healthcare inequalities facing homeless people. St Mungo's strategy shows what can be done but real change is needed at a policy level to improve access to effective treatment."

St Mungo's report 'Homelessness: it makes you sick' sets out shocking new evidence about the lack of recognition given to the special healthcare needs of homeless people.

The report identifies the severity of these needs, the scale of multiple conditions suffered by homeless people, and the problems they face in accessing basic healthcare.

St Mungo's is calling for the Government to recognise these issues and equip the health service to deal with them, arguing that failure to do so will increase future pressure on NHS resources.

Notes to editor:

  • For further information or a copy of St Mungo's health report and strategy please contact Lucy Whitford on 020 87625570 / 020 8762 5645 or via email at lucy.whitford@mungos.org
  • St Mungo's is London's largest charity for homeless people. We work 365 days a year to provide emergency help, and run over 100 projects and services that house and support homeless people's recovery and prevent rough sleeping. Every year we help thousands of people to make permanent life changes.
    http://www.mungos.org/
  • The report 'Homelessness: it makes you sick' has been written for St Mungo's by Helen Bilton, MA, MSc, and independent information professional. It's findings include the fact that a third of homeless people with chronic conditions are receiving no medical care at all.
  • St Mungo's Health Action Week is running throughout this week, with activities and events being staged to highlighting the failings in health care provision for homeless people.

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