This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Better health care for homeless
21/05/2004
New standards for all NHS Boards will ensure homeless
people have the same level of health services across
Scotland as the rest of the community.
The health and homelessness standards, announced today
by Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm, will be published
later this year and will cover areas such as:
* access to services including primary, acute, mental
health and substance misuse;
* needs assessment;
* admission and discharge procedures; and
* involving service users.
Speaking at a joint Scottish Executive and Scottish
Council for Single Homeless conference in Dundee, Mr
Chisholm said:
"People who are homeless are entitled to the same
quality of health care as anyone else in Scotland.
"I am determined to make sure that this happens.
"Our targeted work has achieved much in a short period
of time. We have appointed a health and homelessness
co-ordinator to champion this policy.
"There have also been significant achievements across
the country with all 15 NHS Boards implementing health and
homelessness action plans. Although improving health has
no quick fixes, every health board is making progress.
"To help ensure that the same high standards of health
care for homeless people are achieved across the country we
are publishing new health and homelessness standards.
"The standards will also provide mechanisms to monitor
how they are being delivered. These will highlight
excellence and best practice as well and show up poor
performance which requires action.
"Involving patients should be at the core of the health
service. Service providers need to listen more and also
take action on any feedback.
Health and Homelessness Guidance was published by the
Scottish Executive
in September 2001. This required all NHS Boards to
produce Health and Homelessness Action Plans which outlined
local challenges in improving the health of homeless people
alongside solutions to these. All NHS Boards are
implementing their Plans and performance is regularly
assessed.
Sue Irving was appointed as Health and Homelessness
Co-ordinator in April
2001. Her role has been to champion this policy,
support NHS Boards in their work and raise awareness of
both health and homelessness issues.
The Health and Homelessness Standards will be published
by the end of
2004. These will cover areas such as:
* Access to health services, including primary, acute
and secondary care, mental health services and substance
misuse services.
*Admission and discharge procedures.
*Needs assessment.
*Standards for the planning and delivery of Health
and Homelessness Action Plans.
*Involving service users.
*Resourcing the standards.
*Corporate support.
Action Together - The Health and Homelessness Conference
2004 is being held in Dundee on 20 and 21 May, in
partnership with the Scottish Council for Single Homeless.
It will be attended by 160 delegates and will provide
opportunities to promote best practice and to work through
the many challenges of improving the health of homeless
people.