We’re pleased to have supported a recent fuel poverty programme, led by St. Helens Council and Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Their pilot project offered interventions to help make homes warmer through Winter, to patients with chronic health conditions made worse by cold.

We’re delighted to announce that this pilot has now published findings, showing a near 10% reduction in GP appointments following targeted energy advice and support!

The project focused on vulnerable adults, targeting those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in St Helens and Knowsley. Using the Combined Intelligence for Population Health Action (CIPHA) system, the programme identified people most at risk and offered a holistic package of support, including medicines optimisation, pulmonary rehabilitation referrals, tobacco dependency support, and help with finances. Nearly 700 people have benefited from the scheme so far, demonstrating how practical energy and health support can improve wellbeing and reduce pressure on GP services.

As part of the pilot, energy advice and support was provided to vulnerable adults identified through the programme. This included home visits to assess how their homes could be made more energy-efficient, practical advice on reducing energy usage, and guidance on available funding or support. Through these referrals, participants could access the support they needed to stay warm, healthy, and reduce their energy costs.

Rhiannon Clarke, Senior Programme Manager at Health Innovation North West Coast, said:

“These results are fantastic, and they validate everything we’ve been doing. They show how well the scheme has not only supported people with COPD but also relieved some of the pressures on the healthcare system.

“We knew that an innovative scheme such as this could make the most of the knowledge and expertise we have in the region and target support to those who were most in need”.

You can read more about it here!

This is a strong example of how energy advice and health support go hand in hand, and has led to more health & housing fuel poverty pilots being established across the footprint of NHS Cheshire & Merseyside. If you work for a health team in Cheshire, Merseyside, or West Lancashire, and are interested in learning about the support and advice Energy Projects Plus can provide to your patients, please email dominic.griffiths@epplus.org to find out more.