Tsar will champion the homeless in Wales

The Welsh assembly government is to appoint a ‘tsar’ to champion the health needs of homeless people.

The post, which is to be announced next month, is being created after lobbying from homelessness organisations in Wales. A recent report by Shelter Cymru found the health of 84 per cent of homeless people had suffered because of their housing conditions.

One of the tsar’s first jobs is likely to be to develop a network of GPs, as Community Care previously reported, dedicated to working with homeless people in all 22 health boards in Wales.

Studies have shown that rough sleepers and those living in temporary housing struggle to register with a GP because they lack a permanent address.

Shelter Cymru policy officer John Pritchard said the post would be “instrumental” in improving joint working and communication between assembly departments.