Safe and Effective Discharge of Homeless Hospital Patients

  • Health and Well-Being
  • Prevention

Safe and Effective Discharge of Homeless Hospital Patients

Homeless individuals face unique needs and challenges, often resulting in poor health outcomes and frequent hospital visits. They experience complex health and social issues, making them heavy users of urgent and emergency care, with hospital service usage and inpatient costs significantly higher than the general population. After hospitalization, many are discharged to insecure or homeless situations, leading to unsafe conditions, worsening health, and repeated hospital readmissions. This “revolving door” cycle highlights the missed opportunity to address underlying issues. Effective care requires collaboration across healthcare, social care, housing, and the voluntary sector to ensure safe discharge and support for recovery and independence. This resource is focused on the UK, but many of the lessons are broadly applicable.