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Protecting at-risk groups from the effects of adverse weather

Outcome/aim

To protect against the hazardous effects of adverse weather on health, especially in light of Covid-19, in particular for those who are more at risk from the negative impact of cold or hot weather such as due to pregnancy, older age, long-term health conditions, and those experiencing health inequalities. Funding given to 19 projects to provide warm clothing and bedding to low-income families; hot meals to older people; and equipment to enable quarantine hosts to support extremely vulnerable and asylum seekers.

Background

Part of the council’s commitment to being a compassionate city, supporting children, older people, families and vulnerable residents in communities. To also support the health and social care system to reduce the pressures brought about by additional demand during the winter.

What has been delivered?
The Public Health Winter Prevention Plan outlines actions to strengthen a systemwide approach to protect the health of the population by preparing for, alerting people to, and protecting from periods of cold weather.

These actions and interventions provide additional support to people who are at risk of hospitalisation during winter to avoid admission to hospital or are unable to return home without measures in place at a time, when demand is particularly high.

The plan recognised the additional challenges that Covid-19 presents during winter, both for people and the health and social care system, for example:

  • Changes to programme delivery such as the expanded eligibility of the influenza vaccine.
  • The additional activity anticipated as a result of lockdown such as the physical deconditioning of people living with frailty, leading to an increased falls risk.
  • The changing needs of at-risk groups to ensure these are understood and met.
  • Additional actions outlining the response to further waves and winter outbreaks.

What was the impact/next steps?

  • Maximise uptake of season influenza vaccine, particularly of those at risk of Covid-19.
  • Delivered workshops for Local Care Partnerships about impact of winter, interventions and services available.
  • ‘Stay Well This Winter’ Small Grants Scheme funded 19 projects, which included providing: warm winter clothing and bedding to low income families; hot meals to older people; and equipment to enable quarantine hosts to support extremely vulnerable and asylum seekers during winter.
  • Developed a cold weather action plan for primary care settings, which included: guidance for accessing weather alerts, ensuring severe weather included in business continuity plans, and checklists of high impact interventions for the most vulnerable patients.
  • ‘Winter Friends’ campaign continued to encourage residents to support their community.
  • Emergency food and resources were provided through Age UK’s Hospital to Home scheme to vulnerable patients upon hospital discharge, to support them to isolate safely.
  • Home Plus, the council’s Home Independence contract led by Care and Repair with Groundwork’s Green Doctors, have supported a range of affordable warmth interventions such as low energy lightbulbs, radiator panels and door bottom brushes. Customer feedback has shown that 88% report they feel warmer in their homes, and 68% are able to better afford to heat their homes.