Hotspots North Yorkshire

1. Hotspots North Yorkshire A partnership affordable warmth referral service Supported by North Yorkshire County Council and all local authorities.

2. What is Hotspots? The Hotspots scheme involves a network of key organisations that are working together to offer a practical way to help tackle fuel poverty and to promote affordable warmth in North Yorkshire The scheme encourages those frontline staff who visit people in their own home to refer vulnerable householders for support and advice via a simple and freepost 'Hotspots' referral card. The following support and advice can be received: • energy efficiency advice • assessment for eligibility for a number of home improvement schemes • benefits entitlement checks • home safety check from the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

3. What do we mean by affordable warmth? • The ability of a household to adequately heat their home within a budget they can manage • A minimum temperature of 21°C in the living room and 18°C in other rooms is suggested as an adequate level

4. What do we mean by fuel poverty? • Fuel poverty occurs when a household needs to spend more than 10% of its total income on fuel • It was estimated in 2005 that 8.9% of households in North Yorkshire were suffering from fuel poverty (NEA)

5. Causes and consequences of fuel poverty

6. What are the effects of fuel poverty? In Britain, a cold spell during a mildwinter is followed: • two days later by a sudden rise in heart attacks by up to a third • five days later by a rise in the number of strokes • twelve days later by a rise in respiratory illness Excess winter deaths

7. Why tackling Fuel Poverty is important • Excess Winter Deaths • 2,500 in Yorkshire and Humber • 25,000 Nationally

8. Other effects on health and well-being • Social isolation • Reduced dexterity • Poorer quality of life • Mental health issues – depression and anxiety • Lower educational opportunities • Longer hospital stays Quality of life

9. 18-24°C, no risk to sedentary, healthy people Below 16°C, diminished resistance to respiratory infections Below 12°C, increased blood pressure and viscosity Below 9°C, after 2 or more hours, deep body temperature falls Indoor environment is a source of health risk factor – most people spend more than 90% of time indoors Indoor Temperature and its effects on Health

10. Links between cold homes and health Cardio-vascular disease • The cold increases blood pressure. • Increased risk of heart attack and strokes. Respiratory Illness • The cold lowers resistance to respiratory infections. • Coldness impairs lung function and can trigger broncho-constriction in asthma and COPD.Dampness is associated with cold houses; damp increases mould growths, which can cause asthma and respiratory infections.

11. The effect of rising fuel prices • Since 2004 fuel prices have risen significantly, leading to an increase in those unable to afford to heat their homes sufficiently • 83% of all households suffering fuel poverty are either privately rented or owner occupied. • 65% of all households suffering fuel poverty have only one occupant • Almost 50% of all households suffering fuel poverty are inhabited by people aged 60 or above

12. Number of households in Fuel Poverty

13. Triggers for help What you may hear or see: • Home is usually too cold. • Home is draughty • Fuel bills are too high • Uses prepayment meter to avoid incurring debt • Stays in bed to keep warm/ wears a cardigan in bed • Wants to stay in hospital because it is more comfortable PLEASE REFER THEM FOR HELP!

14. Triggers for help • You can see damp patches or mould growth or you can smell the damp and mould • Old/broken or expensive heating appliance • Hard to heat homes (off gas network/solid walls) • Lack of insulation & ventilation PLEASE REFER THEM FOR HELP!

15. useful questions to ask • Is your whole house warm enough in winter? • Do you find it hard to pay for your energy and other bills in winter? • Do you find your heating and hot water system easy to use? • Would you like information on home insulation and heating grants? • Would you like advice on claiming entitlements (benefits)? • Would you like a home fire safety check? PLEASE REFER THEM FOR HELP!

16. Who may be more at risk? • Older people • Children • Disabled people Those with • Long term medical conditions • Respiratory illness • Heart disease • Stroke • Recent fallers/ accidents victims

17. What can you do to help? Complete and post the Hotspots referral card on behalf of the patient/ client • Step 1 Obtain consent to complete and pass on contact details. Ensure you include details of alternate person to contact.

18. What can you do to help? • Step 2 Please tick all appropriate boxes, if they would like : • Information on home insulation and heating grants • Advice on claiming entitlements (benefits) • A home fire safety check from the fire service

19. What can you do to help? • Step 3 Complete details on behalf of patient/ client • Full name • Full address, including post code • Phone number • Additional comments, if any e.g. Hearing Impaired, alternative contact person • Tick which referral organisation you work for or write in ‘other’ box

20. What can you do to help? • Step 4 Remove tear off slip and leave with the individual. This will act as a reminder that the referral was made & to whom (i.e. Energy Saving Trust phone number is on the tear off) • Step 5 Moisten the sides and ensure the card is stuck together, post as soon as possible Supplies of the card can be obtained from your local organisational representative.

21. What happens next? The card will be received and processed by the Energy Saving Trust advice centre • If energy advice is required, the patient/ client will be contacted directly by the ESTac • If fire safety and/or benefits advice is required their details will be forwarded to the relevant agency The patient/ client is supported promptly and in the most appropriate way

22. Quiz Question 1 • Fuel poverty occurs when a household needs to spend more than ??% of its total income on fuel • A. 2% • B. 5% • C. 10%

23. Quiz Question 2 • In Britain, a cold spell during a mildwinter is followed: • A. two days later by a sudden rise in heart attacks by up to a third • B. five days later by a rise in the number of strokes • C. twelve days later by a rise in respiratory illness • D. All of the above

24. Quiz Question 3 • Who may be more at risk? • A. Heart disease • B. Stroke • C. Recent fallers/ accidents victims • D. All of the above

25. Quiz Question 4 • Who needs to complete the referral card • A. Patient • B. Client • C. Staff

26. Quiz Question 5 • What help is available through the Hotspots referral card system • A. Information on home insulation and heating grants • B. Advice on claiming entitlements (benefits) • C. A home fire safety check from the fire service • D. Any of the above

27. Quiz Answers • Question 1 - C • Question 2 - D • Question 3 - D • Question 4 - C • Question 5 - D

28. Supporting materials The following leaflets will be useful for you to use to support this project and are free to order: • Keep Warm, Keep Well Order at www.dh.gov.uk using the order form • Help the Aged – ‘Keep out the cold’ leaflet Order at www.helptheaged.org.uk using the bulk order of advice leaflets page

29. Hotspot Referral Cards • If you have any questions or require further information and for a supply of referral cards please contact either : • ADD IN LOCAL CONTACT DETAILS FOR EACH AREA