Bedford Borough residents with long term health conditions could receive free support to help keep their households warm this winter.
Warm Homes Bedford Borough has been set up by Bedford Borough Council and NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board in partnership with the National Energy Foundation’s warmth and wellbeing service Better Housing Better Health.
Over 1,600 residents with health conditions that can be made worse by living in cold or damp home have been identified from GP records, and eligible residents should automatically receive a letter inviting them to contact Better Housing Better Health with information on how they can apply for free support. This may include:
- Energy saving advice
- Draught-proofing for the home
- Loft and wall insulation
- Heating controls to help save money by only heating rooms that are being used
Cllr Louise Jackson, portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing said, “We know that Bedford Borough residents are worried about rising energy costs and whether they will be able to heat their homes this winter. Together, with the Integrated Care Board and Better Housing Better Health, I’m delighted that we can offer this support to residents whose health could be at risk from cold and damp conditions at home.”
Residents who are not eligible for support under the Warm Homes Bedford Borough service but are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living, can visit www.bedford.gov.uk/costofliving for information about help that is available, or contact Better Housing Better Health for advice about energy costs. Visit www.bhbh.org.uk or call 0800 107 0044 for more information.
GP data has been analysed to identify more than 1,600 people with the following conditions who have had one or more emergency admissions in the last year, and have had a high level of healthcare use.
- Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Patients with severe asthma.
- Patients with cystic fibrosis.
- Patients at risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack.
- Patients with arthritis.
- Patients with severe frailty.
- Patients receiving palliative care.
Warm Homes Bedford Borough is funded by a grant from the BLMK Integrated Care Board to support the implementation of population health management in Bedford Borough. The programme is funded until 31 March 2023, although some household interventions may be completed after March.