ADR Wales News. Published 25 February 2025
The latest study from the BOLD (Better Outcomes through Linked Data) team in Wales reveals that people in substance misuse treatment who experience homelessness face significant health inequalities. They have higher rates of emergency department attendances and hospital admissions, longer hospital stays, and increased diagnoses of mental and behavioural disorders. These findings highlight the severe impact of co-occurring homelessness and substance misuse on health outcomes.
This report is a joint publication between Public Health Wales, ADR Wales, the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank, and Welsh Government as part of the BOLD programme. BOLD is an HM Treasury funded, cross-governmental programme (2021-2025) designed to demonstrate how people with complex needs can be better supported by linking and improving the government data held on them in a safe and secure way. It has a strong focus on early intervention and prevention of substance misuse escalation.
Using data from the SAIL Databank, the study analysed over 32,000 Welsh residents in substance misuse treatment between 2014 and 2019. The datasets included hospital admissions, emergency department attendances, and specialist substance misuse treatment.
Understanding how people with co-occurring homelessness and substance misuse access health services can help healthcare providers better plan and deliver support. The BOLD team’s research aims to inform policies and interventions that address these complex challenges. Results from this study underscore the need for targeted support for individuals facing multiple disadvantages.
Read the related technical report on the Welsh Government website