A must read, latest Housing LIN weekly bulletin (18 June 2015)
New Housing LIN Blog by Jeremy Porteus - A spoonful of housing lets the medicine go further
To coincide with the launch of the NHS Alliance's new online health and housing resource for GP's (see the next news item), Jeremy writes that the housing information hub we have helped the NHS Alliance develop specifically for GPs could reap significant benefits for both their older and vulnerable patients and reduce demand for GP appointments and other health services.
Read his blog at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9602
And for more useful resources on health and housing, check out the Housing LIN's 'Health Intel' pages at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HealthandHousing
Health must begin at home
Speaking at gathering of influential primary care clinicians and housing officials this week, Dr Michael Dixon, chair of NHS Alliance, explained that stronger collaboration with housing could save the NHS billions of pounds a year ensuring people have a safe and warm home to return to after a hospital stay would help swifter discharges, while a reduction in emergency admissions and GP appointments could be achieved through preventative measures.
Dr Dixon's speech marked the launch of an NHS Alliance-driven initiative to better understand the correlation between housing and health, 'Health Begins At Home'. NHS Alliance has collaborated with the Housing LIN and partners to develop a brand new online resource which will allow housing and health professionals to network and share learning and good practice, and aims to review and update evidence as it becomes available.
Jeremy Porteus stated: "The most conservative estimates claim that inadequate or inappropriate housing costs the NHS £1.4bn a year. Many GPs are familiar with the diverse housing problems faced by their patients; for example, the need for home adaptations or a move to specialist accommodation following a stroke or the onset of dementia. However, they probably don't know where they can get housing guidance to inform their decisions. This new resource is an important step for health professionals to help address health inequalities."
Find our more at: www.housingforhealth.net
Research finds NHS costs cut by a third in charity's retirement communities
Independent research by Aston University shows the ExtraCare Charitable Trust (ECCT) saved the NHS money by successfully combining health, social care and housing services for older people, including employing a qualified nurse as well as providing informal drop-in sessions and advice services.
The report shows that the total NHS savings across the NHS (primary and hospital care) for each participant in the study included the amount spent on nurses, GP appointments, and hospital admissions. Over a period of 12 months alone, this equated to the NHS spending £1,115 per person per year less on residents living in properties run by ECCT than it would have done had the trust not provided the services, thereby reducing the NHS spend by 38%.
Measuring the indirect impact of improved health on wellbeing
This research report from HACT has found that housing associations can demonstrate significant health impact from their community investment activities. Using a wellbeing valuation approach, researchers measured a variety of outcomes measures to assess the social value and cost on key interventions that impact on wellbeing.
Best practice in social care and support for adults with concurrent sight loss and dementia within different housing settings
Thanks to NCF for drawing attention to a new report from the National Institute for Health Research aimed to further knowledge on how best to provide care and support to people living with sight loss and dementia in a range of housing settings.
More at: http://sscr.nihr.ac.uk/PDF/Findings/RF45.pdf
Telecare LIN weekly update
This week's news headlines from the Telecare LIN can be downloaded in two formats (doc; pdf) at:
- Telecare LIN News Headlines: 18 June 2015
Telecare LIN News Headlines: 18 June 2015
Forthcoming Housing LIN regional meeting
- 01/07/2015 - SW Regional Housing LIN meeting, Taunton
- 09/07/2015 - East of England Regional Housing LIN meeting, Hoddesdon
Registrations now open at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents
Other events supported by the Housing LIN
CIH Annual Conference & Exhibition
The Housing LIN is delighted to be supporting the Health and Housing 'hub' at next week's CIH conference and exhibition in Manchester (23-26 June). Come and meet the team on stand 48. There is also a 2 day event conference within a conference on 24 and 25 June. Jeremy will be speaking on the Thursday. More at: www.cihhousing.com/Content/Health-Social-Care-and-Housing-Conference/11
Enhanced health in care homes: Developing integrated care: what role do care homes play?
Jeremy will be chairing a session which will focus on housing based models of care at this King's Fund event in London 2 July 2015. Free places for patients/tenants/residents/relatives are available on request. Register at: www.kingsfund.org.uk/events/enhanced-health-care-homes
Stay networked with the Housing LIN for latest news, views and resources on housing with care matters.