People facing homelessness experience some of the worst health in our society, and are admitted to hospital up to six times more often than those who do have homes. At the same time, the combination of pressure on our health services and the housing crisis means that they are often discharged to the street whilst still recovering from treatment.
There is a solution. Intermediate care, endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, offers safe, short-term accommodation and support for homeless individuals recovering after a hospital stay, improving health and housing outcomes and reducing future hospital admissions.
Commissioned by Pathway from Alma Economics, this cost-benefit analysis shows the positive return on investment of a proposed nationwide initiative to expand specialist intermediate care for people experiencing homelessness, with an estimated financial benefit of £1.20 and societal benefit of £4.30 for every £1 spent. It further suggests England needs 322 facilities to meet the annual demand from 32,600 patients experiencing homelessness, with potential savings of £5,200 per patient. Government investment in a national safe discharge programme, scaling up specialist hospital teams and intermediate care, would support the Government’s ambition to shift care from hospital to the community, as well as save money.
You can download the full report below, and if you would like to discuss any of the issues further please reach out to us at info@pathway.org.uk