HeatSavers – Warm Homes Healthy People

September 4, Kris McGowan Teacher, Trainer, Volunteer, Senior Project Manager, Store Manager, Dad, Energy Expert … Introduction HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People

September 4, Marches Energy Agency Multi national award winning social enterprise Train, educate, inspire, challenge, in the field of energy and environmental issues Established 1997 Introduction HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People

September 4, In winter there were 23,700 EXCESS deaths in England alone. 27,000 in the whole of the UK A large proportion of these are preventable. You are here to learn how. Introduction HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People

September 4, What we will cover today:  What is fuel poverty?  How can we identify need?  Learn how to spot the signs  Direct people to help  Get people warmer and healthier  Give you tools and expertise Introduction HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People

September 4, Introduction HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People

Fuel Poverty and the Cold Weather Plan

September 4, Cold doesn’t kill  Poor heating  Poor health  Poor ventilation  Low incomes  Finland is much colder every winter and has half the excess winter deaths HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Solutions  Insulate homes better  Heat homes better  Make sure access to correct benefits  Higher awareness HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, The Cold Weather Plan was developed in partnership with: HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP  The CWP is a public health plan  Aim = to avoid the adverse health effects of winter by raising public awareness and triggering actions by those in contact with people most at risk  Sets out what needs to happen before and during periods of severe winter weather in England  CWP was launched on 1 st November 2011

September 4, The cold facts  More people die during the winter than at other times of the year  23,700 excess winter deaths in England in (average of 27,000 per year)  This number can rise during very severe weather – 34,000 deaths in winter Direct effectsHeart attacks, stroke, respiratory disease, flu, falls & injuries, hypothermia Indirect effectsPoor mental health, carbon monoxide poisoning Health servicesIncreased demand on health & emergency services HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Vulnerable groups  Older people (age 75+)  Young children  Pre-existing medical conditions  Living in poor quality housing  Households at risk of fuel poverty HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Indoor temperatures Recommended by WHO:  21ºCRecommended minimum daytime temperature for main rooms  18ºC Recommended minimum bedroom temperature at night World Health Organization (1987) Health Impact of Low Indoor Temperatures: Report on a WHO meeting. Copenhagen: World Health Organization. Available at: HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Preventable  These are predictable and largely preventable causes  In most cases, simple actions could prevent illness, injury and death  Colder countries in Europe have fewer excess winter deaths  e.g. Finland has half the excess winter death rate of England  Colder countries are much better prepared for cold weather:  Well-insulated, well-heated, energy-efficient homes  Warm outdoor clothing HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Benefits of housing improvements  Improving housing conditions can lead to significant improvements in health and wellbeing (Howden-Chapman et al, 2007)  A recent study showed that investing £1 in keeping homes warm could save the NHS up to 42p in health costs (Liddell, 2008) Better self-rated health50%  in fair/poor health Fewer days off school51%  Fewer days off work38%  Fewer visits to GP27%  HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Benefits of behaviour change  Protective behaviours (seen in colder countries):  Keeping houses warmer  Wearing adequate clothing outdoors  Potential barriers:  Practical issues (e.g. fuel poverty)  Many older people do not view themselves as vulnerable or at risk during winter HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Cold Weather Alert levels  A series of escalating alerts will be issued depending on severity, duration & geographical spread of cold weather conditions  CWP sets out actions at 4 levels: Level 1Winter preparedness Level 2Severe winter weather is forecast (Alert & readiness) 60% risk of severe cold weather lasting at least 48 hours forecast to arrive within next 2-3 days Level 3Response to severe winter weather (Severe weather action) Level 4Major incident (Emergency response) Severe winter weather affecting large parts of the country & critical services HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Cascade of Cold Weather Alerts HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Examples of actions Level 1  Identify individuals who are at particular risk from severe cold weather  Work with at-risk individuals, their families and carers to ensure that they are aware of the dangers of cold weather and how to keep warm Level 2  When visiting clients, check room temperatures to ensure that clients are warm  Consider how the forecast weather conditions may impact on your work HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, What is fuel poverty?  Fuel poverty is the inability to adequately heat the home and a household needs to spend 10% or more of its income in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.  Low household income, poor insulation standards, inefficient or expensive heating systems and under- occupancy of properties.  Many older people require extra warmth as a result of age or disability and lack of access to mains gas supply denies many rural households the benefits of the most efficient and effective form of heating. HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, Are our energy bills higher?

September 4, Are our energy bills higher?

September 4, Shropshire’s fuel poverty stats.. Every year the health of 360 people in Shropshire will be adversely affected as a direct result of their homes being poorly insulated or the heating system being inadequate. As a result, 114 of these will lose their lives. The cost to the NHS is over £6 million. One-off work to improve or repair cold homes is approximately £1.5 million. HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, What is Shropshire HeatSavers? An ‘in-kind, low cost’ referral system between Housing and Health. Any health professional/volunteer visiting a patient/client can use a simple Affordable Warmth Checklist to determine whether fuel poverty exists and then refer directly to the housing advisers at Shropshire Council through a dedicated to Shropshire HeatSavers. HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

September 4, In summary  Cold Weather deaths and illness are preventable  Warmer, better insulated homes will help, better access to services and the correct benefits will make significant difference HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Fuel Poverty + CWP

Some Exercises to warm us up!

September 4, % Roof 33% Walls 18% Windows 3% Doors 12% Ventilation & Draughts 8% Floors Draw a picture of a house Exercises

September 4, What are the signs of fuel poverty or cause for concern?  House condition  Heating system  Person’s health/ outward appearance  Debt  Overall energy use HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Exercises

September 4, Things that you will spot  Illness  What do they say?  What can you see? HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Exercises

Referring householders for help

September 4, Referral Form  Complete as many parts as possible.  Make sure the client signs the form HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Referrals

September 4, Send forms to the AGE UK office  They will then pass the details on to Shropshire HeatSavers  More points = more urgent  Benefits Team (increase income)  Housing Team (housing condition, emergency heating, grants)  Keep Shropshire Warm (insulation, grants, tariff switching)  Shropshire Home Services (handyperson, minor/ extensive works)  Just Credit Union (low cost loans)  AGE UK will be informed of the outcome and progress HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Referrals

Case Study: What can happen?

September 4, Mr + Mrs Stanson  60+  Boiler Broken  Mr Stanson recently had a number of operations  Cold exacerbating problems HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Case Study

September 4, Mr + Mrs Stanson  Customer services referred them to HeatSavers  20/12/11  2 emergency radiators delivered the next day  Officer from Housing Assistance Team visits HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Case Study

September 4, Mr + Mrs Stanson  Application completed for Emergency Heating Grant  All eligibility criteria met  £1900 grant for new boiler and fitting  Warm home for Christmas! HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Case Study

Over to you!

September 4, Some free tools: HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Over to you!

September 4, HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Over to you!

September 4, Over to you! HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People

September 4, Thank you! Good luck! HeatSavers – Warm Homes, Healthy People Over to you!