17 May 2013
Waveney MP Peter Aldous today welcomed news that homeless people are to receive better help once they leave hospital thanks to £10million funding.

It is estimated that currently 70 per cent of homeless people are discharged from hospital back onto the street without their health and housing problems being properly addressed.

The funding pot will support voluntary organisations to work with the NHS and local authorities to create services to ensure that homeless people receive the best possible support and care after leaving hospital.

The £10million funding will also be used to ensure better intermediate care is available after discharge - vital for recovering from health problems such as TB.

Peter Aldous said:

“I pleased to see Government providing money to help some of the many excellent voluntary sector organisations deal with homelessness. I would encourage local organisations to examine the criteria for application and look forward to supporting their bids for money.”

Charles Fraser, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said:

“This is fantastic news. The ill-health of homeless people is extreme and disproportionate, and the government's very clear commitment to addressing that is enormously welcome.

"Recent history has shown that targeting is the most effective way of helping homeless people. We very much look forward to working closely with our partners in local government and the local NHS, as well as with the Department of Health, to turn this announcement into a reality which will transform people's lives.”

Homeless people attend A&E six times more than people with a home and are admitted to hospital four times as often. The cost of treating them in hospital is eight times higher than average at £85 million.