Discussion: ‘Homeless health care: a blight on this house’ - 21st April 2009 House of Commons

Shocking research by the homeless charity St. Mungo’s has shown that around 80 per cent of those living rough have at least one health problem; and a third of those with a health problem are receiving no treatment at all. On average, clients in St. Mungo’s hostels are just 41 years old when they die.
Innovative projects are emerging, and in some cases have existed for some time, to take the lead in providing specialist services for the homeless. However, as they build momentum, they are surfacing an enormous number of issues that haven’t been addressed and remain a miscarriage of health within a health system that prides itself on being universal.
What is the future for such worthy initiatives? Can a coherent, holistic, strategy be developed to provide healthcare for the homeless? What are the obstacles to such coordinated action? Are there opportunities for self-help? And what needs to change to enable this to happen?
This discussion 'Homeless Health Care: a Blight on this House' is being chaired by Professor Aidan Halligan with, Sir David Varney, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Public Service Transformation, Dr Jim O’Connell, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Programme (USA), Dr Philip Reid, Great Chapel Centre, Soho, Charles Fraser, CEO, St. Mungo’s and will be hosted by Hilary Armstrong, MP. It will take place on Tuesday 21 April, 6.30-8.30pm at the House of Commons in the Grand Committee Room (please use St. Stephen’s entrance). There is space for an audience of around 100 people, drawn from senior health professionals (all sectors), regulators, the medical institutions, Department of Health, journalists, policy-makers and academics.
If you wish to attend please email James Gubb or phone: 020 7799 6677.

Guidance on Administration of Medicines in Care Homes

The updated guidance covers:

• what the regulations and national minimum standards say
• what the issues are when residents look after and take their own medicines
• what are the equality and diversity issues that care providers need to consider
• what safeguards must be in place when care workers give medicines to residents
• why practice is different in care homes (nursing)
• the pros and cons of monitored dosage systems
• what to do about homely remedies
• what an inspector should look for.