Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve coordination between health services and homelessness support organisations to tackle the healthcare needs of rough sleepers with (a) substance misuse and (b) mental health challenges.

The Department is funding the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant (RSDATG) in 83 local authorities, of which Ealing is one. This programme funds targeted services to improve drug and alcohol treatment and support to people who sleep rough, or who are at risk of sleeping rough, and who have substance misuse needs. These services work closely with local homelessness organisations to ensure that coordinated support is provided, as well as providing support around people’s co-occurring substance misuse and mental health needs.

In addition to the RSDATG, the Department is working to expand mental health outreach services to improve co-ordinated care for homeless individuals with co-occurring mental health needs. Since 2019/20 there has been a £30 million investment to meet the health needs of people sleeping rough, allowing for the establishment of 37 sites with new mental health provision for rough sleepers. Beyond 2023/24, NHS England will provide recurrent annual funding of £9 million to support the specialist services that have been established as part of the NHS Long Term Plan programme.