Homeless Health Assessment Tool

Homeless people need an approach that treats them holistically, recognises their assets and effectively co-ordinates their care. We have therefore created a Health Assessment Tool to help nurses make an accurate and holistic assessment of the health of homeless people.

It includes a health assessment template including general physical health, long term conditions, substance use, mental health, sexual health and housing. It also incorporates care plans for use by nurses and patients.

The guidance was informed by people with experience of homelessness and created by community nurses specialising in homeless health. It meets national guidelines including existing NICE standards, Public Health England outcomes on homeless health, and the standards for commissioners and service providers by the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health. The template assessment incorporates NHS read codes to make it easier to incorporate into current systems.