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Health Services: Sleeping Rough

Asked by Dr Beccy CooperLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 17 July 2025UIN 66451

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve access to healthcare for people experiencing rough sleeping.

Answered by Ashley Dalton

The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain by tackling the structural inequalities that contribute to poor health, particularly for disadvantaged groups, including those experiencing homelessness.

We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness. This is why we supported the development and implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, code NG214, which provides recommendations on ways to improve access to, and engagement with, health and social care services for people experiencing homelessness. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng214

The Department has recently published a progressive 10-Year Health Plan. We are committed to reducing the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest, an ambitious commitment that shows that the Government is serious about tackling health inequalities and addressing the social determinants of health.

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