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Scarf and NHS Grampian are taking part in the Warm Home Prescription trial to offer people with respiratory conditions support to keep their homes warm enough this winter.
The trial is taking place following a successful pilot run by Energy Systems Catapult in Gloucestershire, working with NHS social prescribers and local energy charity, Severn Wye. Between December 2021 and March 2022, twenty-eight patients were “prescribed” warmth to reduce the risk that the cold would cause harm and hospitalisation.
David Mackay, Scarf Co-CEO, said
Once one of our advisors speaks to an individual and outlines the programme, we will aim to have money into their energy accounts, within a fortnight, to ensure they can keep their bedroom and main living area heated to between 18-21°C throughout the winter.
Participants will be sent thermometers to help them measure how warm their home is, and temperature recorders which will be returned to us at the end of March 2023. This helps us ensure we have paid for the correct amount of fuel.
Prof Shantini Paranjothy, Consultant in Public Health, said:
We have identified 330 people in Aberdeen to be part of this trial. They are all individuals with respiratory conditions, for whom being in a cold home could have serious consequences. We have written to them all to offer this support and would strongly encourage them to take up the offer.
Funding for this pilot is not coming from the NHS budget but from a not-for-profit energy innovation hub called Energy Systems Catapult. This is a limited trial this year, focused on Aberdeen and the 330 people we have identified, along with the two other trial areas in London and Tees Valley. We arere pleased to be part of the trial and look forward to seeing the results.
Further information on the trial is available on the Warm Homes Aberdeen website.
In the Gloucestershire pilot it was found to be:
- Quick and easy to prescribe,
- Immediately impactful – meaning people didn’t have to choose between heating and eating,
- Positive for recipients – with people saying they felt warmer, healthier, less stressed about bills and less likely to visit GPs or hospital,
- Integrated easily with other health and energy efficiency services, further improving health.
Gloucestershire is expanding the scheme during winter 2022/23, with up to 150 people across the county with cold-sensitive health conditions set to receive support – with energy bills paid between November 2022 and March 2023. The initiative is being funded through innovative use of the Government’s Housing Support Fund.
Energy Systems Catapult are testing a scaled up version of Warm Home Prescription this winter with around 1,000 people to be supported across the Tees Valley in England and Aberdeenshire in Scotland.
