Rough sleepers in Somerset to receive NHS support
Homeless hotspots across the country are going to get NHS funding
Rough sleepers in towns with high rates of homelessness in Somerset are going to receive NHS mental health care.
A total of 14 new NHS mental health teams will be put in place across the country.
Research shows people are around 50% more likely to have spent over a year sleeping rough if they are also struggling with their mental health.
Government figures estimate more than 3,000 people sleep rough on any given night in England.
The new NHS-led teams will bring together doctors, nurses and other clinicians to co-ordinate treatment and support with councils and charities.
Professor Tim Kendall is the NHS England clinical national director for mental health.
He said: “as part of a drive to tackle health inequalities, the NHS is opening more than a dozen mental health clinics so that homeless people can access specialist support.
“NHS teams working with local authorities will seek out rough sleepers who have often been through incredibly traumatic experiences to ensure they get the help they need – and do not fall through the cracks.
“While the NHS cannot solve homelessness on its own, we are trying to reach out to homeless people and working hard to ensure that those who need mental health support get it. To do that, we are making it as easy as possible to access services, designed and built around patients’ needs.”
This new funding is worth £3.2million and will be used over the next year to build new services across the country.