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