HC Deb 21 July 1998 vol 316 cc529-30W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the health risks faced by homeless people; [51085]

(2) what guidance he has issued to health practitioners concerning the treatment of homeless people; and if he will make a statement. [51084]

Mr. Boateng

We are well aware of the health needs of homeless people and have taken steps to identify the actions required to bring the health standards of the most disadvantaged up to those of the best. Last year we established an independent Inquiry into inequalities in health led by Sir Donald Acheson, former Chief Medical Officer to the Government, which is covering homelessness as one of many factors which need to be addressed. The Inquiry is due to report later this year.

The treatment of homeless people, like the treatment of others, is a clinical matter and as such is for the attending individual general medical practitioner or health practitioner to decide.

It is not necessary to have a permanent address to register with a general practitioner. The Department encourages permanent registration of homeless people wherever possible. Should any patient have difficulty in registering with a doctor, health authorities have the power to assign the patient to a GP. Where homeless people do not stay in any one area, they may still have access to GP services as temporary residents or on an "immediately necessary" basis.

The Social Exclusion Unit's report on rough sleeping, published on 7 July, announced that the Department will be sponsoring a research project to identify areas where rough sleepers and homeless people are having persistent problems gaining access to GPs. The report will be completed and published by summer 1999.

Forward to