A successful scheme has been applauded for assisting individuals like Tony to keep their houses warm during winter whilst helping to manage their COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) condition.
A collaboration between South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough Council’s Public Health, the North East and North Cumbria ICB and Middlesbrough Environment City (MEC) was formed to tackle the rate of admissions for COPD in the South Tees area – which is significantly higher than the England average.
Thanks to these organisations securing funding via Northern Gas Networks, the “COPD Project: Warmer Homes Better Health Project” was rolled out to support COPD patients to help with their fuel payments this winter.
The scheme aimed to target those living in disadvantaged groups with a respiratory condition (COPD) and support them by enabling positive changes to their heating infrastructure to prevent exacerbation of their condition.
As part of the initiative, the trust’s respiratory clinics identified patients with COPD living in the Tees Valley and referred them to a supportive assessment service team.
Following a referral, the service reviews their entitlements to housing and heating-related benefits and offers a debit card loaded with £300 to help with energy costs.
Since October 2024, the scheme has supported more than 800 patients across the Tees Valley to keep their homes warm during winter.
Moreover, individuals are also referred to additional services like making every contact count, including support to maximise benefits, support to stop smoking services and mental health support services to improve their health and wellbeing.
