VCMA project - Warm Homes: Better Health

Middlesbrough Environment City along with the NHS South Tees Trust submitted an application form to NGN direct for the VCMA project. The NHS South Tees Trust are the only NHS service in the area who can target the right customers. Emergency hospital admissions for a range of respiratory conditions are higher than the national average for areas in the Tees Valley. The rate of admissions for COPD, particularly in the South Tees area is significantly higher than the England average. Admissions for asthma in adults are particularly high in Hartlepool and Stockton-On-Tees with the 5th highest rate nationally. Admissions for pneumonia and respiratory diseases are also significantly higher. The under 75 mortality rates from respiratory disease is worse than the England average across all locality areas. In light of the above, this project aims to utilise funding to support those living in disadvantaged groups with a respiratory condition (COPD) and support them to warm their home in winter, plus support with making positive changes to their heating infrastructure to prevent exacerbation of their condition.The project will target 15 GP practices across the Tees Valley who are defined as 'deep end' practices, these are practices with the highest levels of blanket socioeconomic deprivation. Within these practices there are circa 1,322 individuals identified as having COPD These will be the target cohort.