Helpline available for Oxford residents to keep warm

Residents in Oxford concerned about keeping their homes warm this winter are being encouraged to contact a free helpline for advice.

The helpline, operated by the Better Housing Better Health (BHBH) scheme, provides any Oxford resident with a single point of contact for services, advice and grants in order to stay warm and well in their homes.

The free helpline is open Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

The scheme has been launched by the National Energy Foundation (NEF), working on behalf of Oxford City Council and the five other local authorities across Oxfordshire.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines highlights the link between living in cold homes and excess winter deaths.

Last year, across the UK there were 24,300 excess winter deaths, 15 per cent higher than deaths occurring in non-winter months according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Those at greater risk of the impacts of cold homes include those who are: aged over 60; children under five and pregnant mothers; living with respiratory disease; on a low income; suffer from cardiovascular disease; suffer from moderate to severe mental illness; terminally ill; have limited mobility; have severe learning difficulties; and are in long term debt.

Oxford City Council is strongly encouraging third parties, including front line healthcare and medical professionals, to use the helpline to support those at risk in Oxford. With consent, officials are able to refer those individuals they are concerned about through the helpline to services including: Expert Energy Advice; LEAP Home Energy Visit; energy bill discounts; grants and funding; income maximisation; and other council services.

Marie Tidball, board member for young people, schools and public health, said: “Nobody should be spending their time in cold homes this winter. I'm especially worried about the impact cold homes has on people with disabilities, cardiovascular and mental health problems, older people, pregnant women and households with young children. We need everyone in Oxford to be aware of the Better Housing Better Health helpline and contact it if they or anyone they know can benefit from its services. It is important to prevent deaths and illnesses in Oxfordshire that result from people unable to heat their homes properly.

“If you feel like someone may be risk, please call Better Housing Better Health. Oxford City Council is pleased to support this helpline as part of our commitment to tackling health inequality."

Amar Latif, general practitioner in West Oxfordshire and clinical led for long term conditions at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “As winter progresses, I am increasingly seeing individuals coming in with health concerns linking to being in cold homes. The health problems which arise from these conditions can impact someone up to two weeks after the cold period has ended. The Better Housing Better Health scheme provides a useful service through the one stop helpline to both residents and health officials.

“I recently saw a patient who was in a cold and hard to heat home. At the time I was not aware of Better Housing Better Health and their services, however I will be going back to the patient, and with their permission referring them onto the scheme.”