National Institute of Clinical Excellence's Guideline NG6 on Excess winter deaths and illness
Case reference FOI2022/01509
Published 14 November 2022
Request
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information about the steps Herefordshire, County of Council is taking to comply with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence's (NICE) Guideline NG6 on Excess winter deaths and illness and the health risks associated with cold homes. My questions are:
1. What steps is your local authority Health & Wellbeing Board taking to meet Recommendation 1: Develop a strategy
2. What steps is your local authority Health & Wellbeing Board taking to meet Recommendation 2: Identify a point of contact (health and housing referral service) for people living in cold homes.
3. Could you please provide a copy of your local authority Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
Response
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information about the steps Herefordshire, County of Council is taking to comply with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence's (NICE) Guideline NG6 on Excess winter deaths and illness and the health risks associated with cold homes. My questions are:
1. What steps is your local authority Health & Wellbeing Board taking to meet Recommendation 1: Develop a strategy
Herefordshire Council do not have a specific strategy on excess winter deaths but work with partners to undertake a wide range of initiatives that mitigate this risk. A non-exhaustive list includes:
· Reducing the health risks and consequences of cold homes by promoting Flu and COVID vaccinations via a Stay well, Stay warm webpage and collaboration with local GPs.
· Supporting low-income households with food and fuel poverty and other essential household bills via the Household Support Fund
· Affordable warmth strategy 2016-19
· Working to support NHS Winter Pressures Plans.
· Considering cold homes as a potential priority in our next Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This is out for public consultation and is proposing a priority area called: "Improve housing and reduce homelessness" that includes a focus on fuel poverty, cold homes and homelessness - affecting around 14,100 homes.
· Developing a Council Cold Weather Plan, a multi-agency response to cold weather alerts from the Met Office.
2. What steps is your local authority Health & Wellbeing Board taking to meet Recommendation 2: Identify a point of contact (health and housing referral service) for people living in cold homes.
Herefordshire Council have a point of contact advertised via our Council website Winter health, warmth and safety section. It advises:
· It is vital that people can afford to stay warm and healthy in their own homes. By phoning 0800 677 1432, a team of trained energy advisors at Keep Herefordshire Warm can offer free energy efficiency advice that will help you stay warm and save money on your bills. The advice ranges from simple changes you can make, to helping you access grants for insulation or heating. They may be able to help you reduce your energy bills, switch to a cheaper energy tariff or supplier, or offer you a free home visit to advise you on ways to save energy.
· The service has been providing free home energy advice since 2001, and covers all homes in Herefordshire. For information or advice, talk to a friendly energy advisor on 0800 677 1432, or visit Keep Herefordshire Warm.
3. Could you please provide a copy of your local authority Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
Herefordshire's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment - Understanding Herefordshire
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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