Homeless 20 times more likely to use hospital emergency departments

Homeless people have a 20-fold increased use of hospital emergency departments (ED) compared to people who are not homeless, according to a study.

The research, conducted in Dublin, found they also have 10 times greater use of unscheduled inpatient beds than people who have a home.

And far higher numbers of homeless people leave ED without being seen — with anecdotal indications suggesting they were only seeking shelter overnight or left because they were withdrawing from drugs.