Health Reform Could Leave Homeless Out In the Cold

Government plans to reform the health system and localise service commissioning could put homeless people at risk, charities have warned. Because commissioning consortia will operate in smaller areas than the old PCTs and base decisions on local needs, homelessness service providers fear the changes could lead to fewer services being commissioned for groups that are not tied to a particular geographical area. Alex Bax, chief executive of homelessness charity London Pathway, said the new system could see services which operate over several local authorities cut because they would not fall under the responsibility of any one commissioning body. He warned that this could include mobile health units which help homeless people access health services and treat illnesses common in rough sleepers, such as tuberculosis. Read more on Inside Housing.