Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to mental health support for people who are (a) homeless and (b) in temporary accommodation.

We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness, this includes those in temporary accommodation.

All local health systems should have mechanisms in place to ensure their mental health services can support people who are homeless. This should include work to routinely complete a mental health needs assessment for rough sleepers which will identify need and lead directly to action that increases access to mental health services for this population. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, new specialist mental health provision for rough sleepers was established in 37 of the areas that most in needed it between 2019/20 and 2023/24. An evaluation of these services is currently being undertaken.

We are also working across Government, the health system, local government, commissioners, and the voluntary sector to review and support implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance on integrated health and social care for people experiencing homelessness, both nationally and locally.