New Healthwatch Shropshire report highlights barriers for people sleeping rough and calls for more accessible healthcare
Based on engagement carried out in Shrewsbury between October 2025 and February 2026, including work with people accessing support at The Shrewsbury Ark Day Centre, the report highlights the challenges many face when trying to access GP services, maintain medication, navigate digital healthcare systems and receive appropriate support after leaving hospital.
The findings also highlight the vital role of The Ark's weekly on-site GP clinic, which provides an important and trusted route into healthcare for people who might otherwise struggle to access support.
Key findings:
- GP access systems (eg. Telephone and digital) often do not work for people sleeping rough.
- The Shrewsbury Ark's GP clinic is a vital route into healthcare.
- Medication is often lost, stolen or disrupted.
- Hospital discharges can leave people back on the streets without support.
- Homelessness increases avoidable pressure on NHS services.
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Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, said:
"This report gives a voice to people whose experiences are too often overlooked. What we heard was clear: many people experiencing rough sleeping face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, not because they do not want help, but because services are often designed in ways that do not reflect the realities of their daily lives.
"The findings demonstrate the value of taking healthcare into trusted community settings and the importance of joined-up, trauma-informed support. We hope this report will help drive meaningful changes that improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and ultimately reduce pressure on already stretched NHS services."
If you need this report in a different format, please contact us:
enquiries@healthwatchshropshire.co.uk
01743 237884
