Homeless Hospital Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising Hospital Care for Homeless Patients
IRAS ID
230855
Contact name
Andrew Hayward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
11607/001, UCL Ethics; Z6364106/2019/09/40 health research, UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Homeless populations typically experience 2-5 times higher mortality and morbidity across all disease categories compared to the general population. The average age of death of a person experiencing homelessness in England is 42-44 years, compared to 74-80 in the general population. People who are homeless have poorer access to care than the general population, due to barriers such as stigma and competing priorities. This is a driver of high hospital care usage. Compared with the housed population, people who are homeless attend A&E five times as often, are admitted three times as often, and stay for three times as long because they are three times as sick. Homeless admissions are largely unplanned (89%) and costs are eight times higher than those for the general population. High rates of hospital attendance are an opportunity to ‘make every contact count’ for homeless patients.
This qualitative study is part of a larger mixed methods study that aims to provide evidence and tools to optimise hospital care for people experiencing homelessness (other study components covered by UCL Ethics Application 11607/001, approved 02/11/2017). The hypothesis is that this can be achieved by delivering ‘preventative interventions’, such as vaccinations, screening, treatment, and referrals, alongside treatment for the acute medical problem that help has been sought for. Using ethnographic observations, interviews and focus groups with NHS staff and patients, this study will aim to understand the barriers and facilitators to delivering preventative interventions to homeless hospital patients.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1788
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion