COMPARISON OF ASSESSMENTS MADE BY A CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC-HEALTH AND HOUSING STAFF ON APPLICATIONS FOR REHOUSING ON MEDICAL GROUNDS

This paper describes a review of a new system introduced in October 1 989 for rehousing on medical grounds, in which housing staff were prim arily responsible for making both the assessment and the decision. Par t of this review included a study to compare points awarded by housing staff with those awarded by a consultant in public health. Major disc repancies were found in 11.6 per cent of decisions, of which only half were considered potentially to disadvantage applicants. On the basis of this review, it was felt that there was justification in using non- medical personnel to make decisions on medical priority, with medical officers acting in an advisory capacity only. The mechanism for proces sing applications, however, needs careful consideration, as does the o verall role of medical priority in the allocation of housing.