Tackling Fuel PovertyTackling Fuel Poverty Identified as a key priority in JSNA 2008Identified as a key priority in JSNA 2008

‘‘Likely to have the greatest impact in Likely to have the greatest impact in the long term in reducing health the long term in reducing health

inequalities’ DH, 2003inequalities’ DH, 2003

CausesCauses

The main cause of fuel poverty in the UK is a The main cause of fuel poverty in the UK is a combination of:combination of:

low incomes low incomes

high energy prices high energy prices

poor energy efficiency in homespoor energy efficiency in homes

Fuel Poverty Fuel Poverty Health HeadlinesHealth Headlines

1 in 5 Walsall residents live in fuel poverty which 1 in 5 Walsall residents live in fuel poverty which will increase in this current financial climate.will increase in this current financial climate.

Walsall has experienced a 13% increase in Walsall has experienced a 13% increase in deaths during winter months (02-07)deaths during winter months (02-07)

80% of excess winter deaths are related to cold 80% of excess winter deaths are related to cold temperaturestemperatures

20% difference in excess winter deaths between 20% difference in excess winter deaths between the coldest and the warmest home.the coldest and the warmest home.

Fuel Poverty Fuel Poverty Health EffectsHealth Effects

Exacerbation of asthma / COPDExacerbation of asthma / COPD

Increased rates of heart attack / strokeIncreased rates of heart attack / stroke

Increased accidents Increased accidents

Worsening symptoms of arthritisWorsening symptoms of arthritis

Mental health/wellbeingMental health/wellbeing

Excess Winter Deaths indexExcess Winter Deaths index

Excess Winter Deaths index by Walsall ward, 2006/07-2007/08

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

Pleck

Willenhall

Aldridge

Streetly

Birchills

Brow

nhills

Short

Bentley

Aldridge

Bloxwich

Palfrey

Hatherton St.

Blakenall

Bloxwich

Pheasey

Pelsall

Darlasto

nPaddock

WillenhallEW

D In

dex s

core

PurposePurpose

To reduce health inequalities in patients with To reduce health inequalities in patients with long term conditionslong term conditions

Supports the delivery of:Supports the delivery of:

LAALAA

Vital Signs and WCC outcomes - Life Expectancy, Vital Signs and WCC outcomes - Life Expectancy, CVD and COPD mortalityCVD and COPD mortality

Health Inequalities StrategyHealth Inequalities Strategy

ActionsActions To get insulation into the coldest homesTo get insulation into the coldest homes

Use primary care data to identify those in greatest need: Use primary care data to identify those in greatest need: the elderly at risk of falls, children with long term the elderly at risk of falls, children with long term conditionsconditions

To increase awareness and uptake of measures to To increase awareness and uptake of measures to improve health in fuel poverty households improve health in fuel poverty households

Work in partnership with housing providers to improve Work in partnership with housing providers to improve access to those most at riskaccess to those most at risk

Links to Food Coop, signposting benefits advice etcLinks to Food Coop, signposting benefits advice etc

Target groupsTarget groups

Elderly people at risk of falls and/ or with long Elderly people at risk of falls and/ or with long term conditions. term conditions.

Children with chronic respiratory disease. Children with chronic respiratory disease.

EngagementEngagement

GPs and Practice staff consulted in set up of GPs and Practice staff consulted in set up of practice referral pilot, Breathe LIT, Falls Teampractice referral pilot, Breathe LIT, Falls Team

The public across the borough through ongoing The public across the borough through ongoing fuel poverty work.fuel poverty work.

Evidence for approachEvidence for approach

NICE 2005:NICE 2005: Housing interventions involving Housing interventions involving energy efficiency measures positively affect energy efficiency measures positively affect health outcomes.health outcomes.

Warm Front Better Health: Health Impact Warm Front Better Health: Health Impact Evaluation 08:Evaluation 08: ‘Insulation and central heating ‘Insulation and central heating in eligible cost households were very effective in in eligible cost households were very effective in relation to morbidity and well being and CV relation to morbidity and well being and CV mortality’.mortality’.

Health Outcomes ExpectedHealth Outcomes Expected

From the NICE appraisal we can expect:From the NICE appraisal we can expect:

5% Reduction in the number of excess winter 5% Reduction in the number of excess winter deathsdeaths

10% Reduction in the number of GP 10% Reduction in the number of GP appointments and hospital admissions for appointments and hospital admissions for serious cold or damp related illness.serious cold or damp related illness.

10% Reduction in re-admissions for LTC10% Reduction in re-admissions for LTC

Programme CostsProgramme Costs £100 per household benefiting from housing £100 per household benefiting from housing

improvementsimprovements

Match funding WHG, Walsall Council investing Match funding WHG, Walsall Council investing £1,001,400 to provide energy efficiency £1,001,400 to provide energy efficiency measures which reduce fuel poverty.measures which reduce fuel poverty.

Projected savings to NHSProjected savings to NHS

Tackling excess cold in homes - £4,333,200Tackling excess cold in homes - £4,333,200

Tackling damp in homes – £53,900Tackling damp in homes – £53,900

SustainabilitySustainability

Proposal to PCT 2009/10 investment roundProposal to PCT 2009/10 investment round

Enable Walsall to participate in WM SHA Enable Walsall to participate in WM SHA tackling excess winter deaths and fuel poverty tackling excess winter deaths and fuel poverty programme 09/10programme 09/10