HOMELESS people with mental health problems are not having their "significant needs" fully met, according to a health watchdog.

The Mental Welfare Commission spoke to 43 homeless people in two different areas across Scotland for their latest study, published today.

Investigators say more can be done to help members of the homeless community, who are often in need of support for a whole range of problems.

The report, which talked to people from one urban area and one rural area in Scotland, is also critical of the benefits system and said: "The Commission was told that the benefits system is not set up well for homeless people, and in particular for people with mental health problems."

The report found around 37 of the 43 people were registered with a GP, however there were difficulties getting registered and psychiatric services were very difficult to arrange.

Around a third - 17 - of those involved with the research said they felt they faced discrimination, particularly from private landlords.

More than half of those spoken to had experienced depression, while 12 reported having other diagnoses including bipolar and schizophrenia,

Almost half had spent some time in prison, while 20 had experienced sexual or physical abuse and 14 had spent time in care.

Three of those interviewed were aged 16 or 17.

Not only did the homeless people find they experienced problems, but staff working with them also had difficulties.

One employee said: " There is a need for quick referral, when people are at the point of wanting help and then they have to wait they will disengage - they can't wait for help."

Another woman involved in the study, which focused on one rural area and one urban area in Scotland, said she had waited for two and a half years to find a home, and had been living in a women's aid centre in the interim.

Kate Fearnley, executive director, engagement and participation at the Mental Welfare Commission, said: “This is a small scale study, through which we wanted to hear the views of just some of this particularly vulnerable group of people.

“We found that some people were receiving the care and treatment they needed, but others were not, or had difficulty accessing it.

“We saw engaged and committed staff in homelessness services supporting people with significant mental health needs, but lacking direct referral routes to psychiatric and psychological services. "We heard that the only way of accessing those services was via a GP, but there could be barriers to registering.

“We also heard that there is a disconnect between mental health services and substance misuse services, and some people who need both may get neither. This issue has been recognised by government as an area in need of improvement in its new mental health strategy.”