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Warm Homes Healthy PeopleThe Assembly Rooms, Tamworth, February 22nd 2012
Martin ChadwickChief Officer, Beat the Cold
Cold Weather PlanIssued by the Department of Health
1,560 more people die per week between December and MarchDisease caused by cold private housing costs NHS £850m+ per yearPlan triggers action in health and social care – 4 levels
PrepareIdentify
Who is most at risk?Work systematically
To reduce riskSupport and advice more acceptable from a trusted source
Cold Weather PlanPlan intended to mobilise communities and civil society Level 1
Prepare – flu jab; insulation; look out for neighbours; check benefits Level 2 – severe weather forecast
Weather forecast; food and medicine stocked; room temperatures; keep an eye on people at risk
Level 3 – Response to severe weatherSet daytime room temperatures (21C and 18C); dress warmly and
eat well; check on those at risk Level 4 – Major incident
No additional actions for civil society groups; actions from Level 3 maintained; severe disruption to health and social care
Health risks from the coldAsthmaChronic bronchitis or
emphysemaCoronary heart diseaseStrokeWorsening of
conditions in winterChronic painFallsMultiple mental health
risk
Excess winter mortality , 2002 – 09England – light blueTamworth – dark blue
Who is most at risk?Elderly people
Raised blood pressureAt home more and less
mobileMay not notice a fall in
temperatureVery young childrenPeople with long-term
illness or disability
Vulnerability cuts across different kinds of people and different levels of income
What do people say?What do you notice?
Home is usually too coldHome is draughtyFuel bills are too highWorried about paying
bills, or in debtStay in bed to keep warmSit with hot water bottleWants to stay in hospital,
where it is warm
Cold and damp, smellCondensation on the walls
or windows and mouldOnly heating is an electric
fire or fan heater, perhaps bottled gas
Using few roomsCurtains closed in the dayUnopened bills and letters
From home visits in TamworthNegotiate with fuel company to pay WHDChanged tariff to reduce by £100 a yearRefund standing charge and pay WHDChange company to save £244 a yearNegotiate with Warm Front; refer because disrepairChecked and demonstrated storage heaters, cancelled
gas account since no gas in propertyRefer to Spirita and British Legion re faulty boiler
Clients with COPD, heart problems, cancer …
ProgrammeDate Time Place22 Feb 10 – 12.15 Stonydelph Health Centre
(possible link with Annandaleand Oakendale)
24 Feb 10 – 12.1528 Feb 10 – 12.151 March 10 – 12.156 March 10 – 4 Ankerfield Shopping Centre20 March 10 – 4
Two days on Tamworth Market went well – we may go back We will be arranging at least two days’ activity in late March / early
April and welcome suggestions for venues and agencies to join us.
Insulation – Tamworth free offerFree of charge, regardless of
tenure or benefitsLikely annual savings
‘Virgin loft’ £175Loft top up £25Cavity wall insulation £135
From June 2011 to 19 January – 1,788 measures installed, and rising
Time limitedCurrently on offer to 31 MarchWith the end of CERT, most
subsidy will cease, late 2012
Insulation – Tamworth free offerSolid wall insulation
Reduced prices for home owners and private tenantsGreatest reduction for houses off the gas mainGreatest reduction for people in receipt of certain benefitsTogether, these may result in FREE insulation
Likely annual savings - £375+Can improve the appearance
HEAT has been working with local company, Rockwarm, to install insulation free of charge.Other companies may have similar offers, but are unlikely
to offer cavity wall and loft insulation free of charge to all households.
Improving heatingWarm Front
Heating installation and repairMaximum value - £3,500 (or £6,000 if off gas main)Eligibility much restricted and budget reduced
SpiritaHealth Through WarmthAdditional capacity, with WHHP fundingCrisis response
Reducing fuel billsTariffs and switching – more from CABMeters and bills
Do the readings match?Are the meters connected properly
Changing behaviourEg Energy Monitor for some households (not WHHP)Controlling heating sensiblyDiscussion of lifestyle
Warm Home Discount£120 a year off electricity bill
MandatoryIn receipt of Pension Credit guarantee only (11 Sept)Automatic for many, through limited data sharing between DWP
and fuel companiesDiscretionary
Other vulnerable groupsA different definition at each fuel companyFunding insufficient for the number of qualifying households
Details on DECC web site and in Consumer Focus guideSome smaller suppliers have a limited offerWorth contacting your electricity company if you may qualify
Make a referral – contact us
Household Your details (if different)Name (& title)Address & Post CodePhone numberAlternative contact (as
required)Brief description of
circumstances (optional)
NameOrganisation or job titleContact detailsPhone number
(optional)
Contact HEAT
0800 043 281501782 683796heat@beatcold.org.ukHEAT
The Bridge CentreBirches Head RoadStoke-on-TrentST2 8DD
The service is run by two independent voluntary agencies, working together:
Beat the ColdMarches Energy Agency
For more details:martin@beatcold.org.uk01782 683813
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