Health access and homelessness in Salford

Homeless people are one of Healthwatch Salford’s priority marginalised groups to engage with but are under represented in signposting cases and engagement work. To better understand different experiences of homelessness and access barriers to health and social care, Healthwatch Salford undertook a 3-month survey project with this group beginning in February 2018, at the same time as developing relationships and links with statutory housing providers and commissioners. This was done with a view to Healthwatch Salford undertaking a more focused engagement project later in the year, once survey findings had been analysed, reviewed and reported on to partners and decision makers.

This reports focuses on phase 1 of the project. 122 survey responses were gathered, identifying the barriers, needs and issues of access that homeless people experience. The initial findings in this report were used to drive the focus for phase 2 of the project later in 2018.

There were many access barriers and difficulties mentioned by the respondents, with most having one or more barriers or difficulties of access. There were several large themes identified in the findings: wanting to be understood and listened to; registering and receiving treatments from GP practice; impact of poverty on homelessness; booking systems and other accessibility; use of healthcare services. 

Several recommendations were made in this report, and a service provider response was included.