The government is to create a new organisation charged with tackling drugs, alcohol and mental health problems among homeless people in London.
Launching a Social Exclusion Unit report into homelessness last week (News, 9-15 July) health minister Tessa Jowell said efforts to deal with the problem had been hampered by service fragmentation and shortages.
More than one third of rough sleepers suffers from serious drug, alcohol and mental health problems. The report says the death rate for homeless people aged between 45 and 64 is 25 times higher than the national average. Also, suicide is 35 times more likely. The new body for London will be funded by a pooled budget from different agencies.
Meanwhile the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department of Health will co-ordinate services for homeless people living outside London. Jowell said: "We want homeless people to have equal access to the primary health care they are entitled to, for example by ensuring they are able to register with a GP."
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