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utILIty WeeK | 6th - 12th February 2015 | 27 Customers Market view M eltdown, turmoil, crisis… the media will soon run out of words to sum up how A&E services across the country have struggled to deal with demand during the past few weeks. What makes the situation particularly worrying is the fact that it has come during a relatively routine winter. What if we'd had severe weather or a flu epidemic? Reports of NHS services pushed to break- ing point bring into sharp focus the need for prevention to be at the fore. It's an area in which energy companies are already playing a role, for example in tackling fuel poverty through affordable warmth programmes, via CSR activity and the Energy Company Obli- gation. But the time is ripe for them to step their involvement up, bring much-needed investment and in doing so change some negative perceptions of their industry. Our ageing population means the pres- sures on A&E are certain to grow and the ways in which we intervene to prevent poor health and manage long-term conditions such as dementia will be crucial to relieving the strain on hospitals and enable not just longer but healthier lives. It's about keeping people out of hospital in the first place, but also ensuring that those being discharged receive the support they need to reduce their chances of readmission. That means improv- ing the support people receive at home, whether it's information and advice or prac- tical help such as adaptations to cater for a person's changing needs or a new boiler to ensure they stay warm. The importance of home-based interven- tion cannot be overstated. The Local Govern- ment Association estimates poor housing conditions cost the NHS at least £2.5 billion a year through treating illnesses caused by cold, damp and dangerous homes. From April, the Care Act will place a legal obligation on local authorities to prevent a person's health and care needs from escalat- ing. With housing conditions being a key fac- tor, councils will be looking to energy firms to support them when they are tackling some of the root causes of ill health. Many, such as Leeds City Council, have formed partner- ships with energy companies and other part- ners to make homes more energy efficient. Other examples include Cornwall Council, which has joined forces with British Gas to launch the £100 million energy efficiency programme, Glow Cornwall. But the introduction of the Act repre- sents an opportunity for the energy sector to ramp up its contribution to something that stretches far beyond fuel poverty. Collabora- tion with local authorities on a council-by- council basis is one route. However, third sector organisations, such as the body I chair, Foundations Independ- ent Living Trust (FILT), offer a tried and tested pathway for energy firms to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of vul- nerable people throughout England. FILT helps people to live independently by channelling funds into a network of 200 not-for-profit home improvement agencies (HIAs) and handyperson schemes. They are embedded in local communities, highly val- ued and trusted by their clients – many of whom have long-term conditions – and pro- vide a range of services that enable people to remain in their own homes. Rather than tackle issues in isolation, HIAs act as a single point of contact for the client, addressing a range of concerns such as trip hazards and bringing in support from other agencies. FILT has been successful because, through its sister organisation Foundations, the national body for HIAs, it offers funders a gateway into organisations that have strong relationships with councils and clini- cal commissioning groups (CCGs) through existing projects. For example, Swan Care and Repair, an HIA, has partnered with North East Essex CCG to launch a rapid response programme that tackles delayed hospital discharge and alleviates bed blocking. A pilot of the scheme showed for every £1 spent on social care and health support, £8 was generated in social return. In 2013/14, FILT helped more than 6,750 people across 166 council areas and distrib- uted more than £790,000 in grants and fund- ing. This 'hub and spoke' model, combining locally embedded bodies and national co- ordination, allows quick and targeted intervention. FILT works with three energy companies and three energy charities and has a growing reputation for helping partners to make a dif- ference to those most in need on a national scale. Its standing is reflected in the fact that FILT recently received almost £900,000 from SSE to support vulnerable customers aer Ofgem secured £1.75 million from the com- pany for its failure to meet environmental obligations on time. Ultimately, third sector organisations such as FILT make it easier for energy com- panies to contribute and ensure they can target resources at those most in need. But getting firms to a point where they have the confidence to work in partnership with third sector organisations has involved long-term investment in building strategic alliances that are backed by hard evidence. FILT has been building those relation- ships for five years and uses robust meth- odologies to measure and demonstrate to energy companies, local authorities and central government the cost effectiveness of interventions. Evaluators from Sheffield Hal- lam University say it has "…made a big and immediate difference to clients' lives and delivered quick, cheap interventions that may be extremely cost-effective in terms of cost savings to the NHS and other sectors". It's vital to highlight how targeted invest- ment can not only improve lives but also reduce health costs. The introduction of the Care Act is part of a wider shi towards creating a health and social care system with prevention at its heart. For energy firms, it's an opportunity to improve lives and enhance their own repu- tations. By partnering with organisations that have a track record of delivery, strong local relationships and the ability to show evidence of their effectiveness, they will maximise the impact of their funding for all concerned. Stephen Burke, chair, Foundations Independent Living Trust (FILT) Collaborate for better care The cost of care in the NHS continues to come under political scrutiny. Stephen Burke says energy companies could help ease the strain by increasing collaboration on prevention.