Transformation Partners in Health and Care > News > Homeless Health workstream update: mental health – April 2022

The London Homeless Mental Health Steering Group was convened in September 2021. The group is chaired by Sharon Spain, Director of Nursing and Quality SWLSTG.

The group aims to provide systems leadership in relation to the development and delivery of a mental health action plan and opportunities to optimise the impact of the NHS Long Term Plan funding in London, working to:

  • provide leadership and governance, which adds value to local delivery, and supports further development of equitable and high-quality mental health care and support services for people who sleep rough, have a history of rough sleeping, or are at risk of rough sleeping in London
  • advise on and promote quality and sustainable improvements in mental health services and care and support that contributes to the prevention, and a measurable reduction in health inequalities and incidence of mental ill-health for this population
  • consult with stakeholders where needed to ensure that outcomes are cohesive and aligned with other relevant workstreams supporting the homelessness and mental health agenda across London
  • share information/data and showcase examples of good practice in London

Membership represents a variety of stakeholders including clinical and commissioning representation from ICSs, NHS England and Improvement, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, service providers, the Greater London Authority (GLA), and third-sector partners including Pathway, St Mungo’s and Groundswell, who also provide lived experience expertise. Members of the steering group will be forming smaller Task and Finish groups which will oversee and take ownership of subsects of overall work.

The group is accountable and reports to the London Homeless Health Leadership Group as well as the Pan-London ICS group. Initial meetings have been held in October 2021 and January and March 2022.

Previously, a Community of Practice event was convened in June 2021 to present models of service delivery and spotlight examples of good practice, discuss challenges and gaps in mental health provisions and identify desired outcomes to steer future planning and commissioning of pan-London mental health services for people experiencing homelessness. Attendees were briefed on a scoping review into mental health provisions in London conducted by Public Health England – replaced by UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities as of 1 October 2021 – to provide a snapshot of mental health prevalence among rough sleepers. The review also mapped out the availability and accessibility of mental health services across London.

Read the summary report here.

Click here to read related content from the London Homeless Health Partner April 2022 newsletter.