Living conditions to be added to NHS records

Social housing residents’ living conditions will be added to their medical records

PA Media Brown and cream coloured houses in a neighbourhood as seen from above — Social housing residents’ living conditions will be added to their medical records

Information about the living conditions of residents in social housing is set to be added to their NHS records as a part of a pilot project aimed at tackling health inequalities.

Liverpool housing association Prima Group said the project, run in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, would start in early 2025.

It added the trial would help them “identify patterns linking social housing conditions to various health outcomes”.

It is hoped the pilot will help to develop a framework for similar partnerships between social housing providers and the NHS across the UK.

The housing information securely shared with the NHS would include details about a patient’s living conditions, accessibility needs and neighbourhood, Prima Group said.

The association added: “An example of how data sharing could help people is if a resident speaks to a health professional about a respiratory illness.”

“This may mean prioritising this tenant’s home for energy efficiency upgrades to reduce the risk of damp and mould and ease their symptoms.”

The data sharing would be conducted “with the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection, and will be anonymised”, Prima Group said.

‘Bridging the gap’

Chief executive John Ghader said: “Housing associations have a key role in reaching groups facing some of the biggest health inequalities and providing preventative support services to people in their homes.”

He added: “When we get this right, we see tenants maximise their independence and reduce demand on the health service.”

Mersey Care chief executive Joe Rafferty CBE said: “By bridging the gap between social housing and healthcare, we’re setting a precedent for how organisations can collaborate in truly innovative ways to enhance the lives of the communities we serve.”

“This project underlines our belief that everyone deserves access to comprehensive healthcare solutions, tailored to their unique circumstances,” he added.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.