Our 2023-24 Annual Report is Now Available!
Learn MoreGet in Touch
A recent Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) report reveals that assigning mental health patients to distant psychiatric units causes significant harm. Patients and families report increased anxiety, PTSD, and even suicides due to these placements, leading to frustration and diminished trust in mental health services.
This situation highlights the urgent need for integrated solutions that address both housing and healthcare challenges.
At SIG Housing Trust, our mission is to create high-quality social housing solutions that truly meet the aspirations of people deprived of equity of access. We aim to provide safe and secure homes where individuals feel they belong and from which they can thrive.
The HSSIB report’s findings resonate deeply with our vision to be the leading housing provider for people who face inequality in accessing a place to call home. You can read the full report here.
Placing patients far from home disrupts essential support networks, intensifying feelings of isolation and distress. This practice hinders recovery and fosters a sense of abandonment, contradicting patient-centred care principles that emphasize community and belonging in healing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the demand for supported housing, intensifying financial and operational challenges for housing providers. The NHF rightly calls for greater integration of health and housing in national strategies and improved collaboration between the NHS and housing providers. Without long-term investment, the Local Government Association warns that prolonged hospital stays will continue to strain already stretched health and social care systems.
As a social housing provider, SIG Housing Trust recognises the imperative of bridging the gap between hospital discharge and stable housing. Our commitment to transparency, empowerment, ambition, and inclusivity drives us to develop solutions that alleviate the burden on healthcare services and promote the well-being and independence of our residents.
We believe that providing supported housing is not merely about offering shelter; it’s about creating an environment conducive to recovery and personal growth. By offering stable housing solutions, we can significantly reduce delayed discharges, thereby decreasing unnecessary NHS expenditures and freeing up resources for other critical healthcare needs.
Moreover, stable housing plays a pivotal role in preventing the recurrence of mental health crises. When individuals have a secure place to call home, they are better positioned to engage with community resources, maintain employment, and build supportive relationships -all contributing to sustained mental health.
The NHF report also highlights the need for long-term investment in supported housing. At SIG Housing Trust, we echo this sentiment. Investment in housing is an investment in health. By allocating resources to develop and maintain supported housing, we can create a more efficient and compassionate system that serves individuals and society at large.
By encouraging collaboration between housing providers and healthcare services, we can create a system where individuals are supported holistically, ensuring that no one is left without a place to call home during their recovery journey.
