One of the most senior NHS figures in the North East has warned the cost-of-living crisis is "life-threatening" for many in our region - and that not being able to pay gas and electric bills has already seen people admitted to our hospitals.
Samantha Allen - chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) - has written to energy regulator Ofgem calling for measures to be put in place to ensure vulnerable people don't see their energy disconnected. The letter has been published on the ICB's website.
In the letter, Ms Allen highlights that she has "serious concerns" that clinically vulnerable people in the area - especially in "rural and deprived communities" - could see electricity or gas "disconnected as a result of non-payment". She said she would not "comment on or be drawn into a debate" about the reasons for energy price hikes, but added: "However, it is my duty to ensure we do all we can to reduce the health inequalities those across our communities' experience, improve their health outcomes and ensure the safety of our patients."
Ms Allen runs the ICB which manages the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System and has responsibility for commissioning NHS services for 3.2m people. The ICS and ICB came into being officially on July 1 this year.
She added in her letter: "It has come to light that we are starting to see examples where clinically vulnerable people have been disconnected from their home energy supply which has then led to a hospital admission. This is impacting on people who live independently at home, with the support from our community health services team and are reliant on using electric devices for survival.
"An example of this is oxygen; there will be many other examples. There is also a similar concern for clinically vulnerable people with mental health needs who may find themselves without energy supply."
She said she was similarly concerned about the situation for those with mental health concerns. She added: "It is my understanding that those people deemed clinically vulnerable cannot have their energy supply disconnected. Based on some examples, along with the contact we are having with many clinically vulnerable people, it is clear that significant concern exists across our communities."
Ms Allen did not shy away from the how horrendous the impact of the cost-of-living crisis could be - and is being already. She said: "Put simply, the impact of having their energy supply terminated will be life-threatening for some people. All of this will place additional demands on already stretched health and social care services.
"This increased demand not only limits the NHS ability to provide treatment to those who need help most but there is also evidence that unnecessary admission to hospital can negatively affect a person's quality of life and health outcomes."
Ms Allen said it was essential that energy firms and Ofgem worked with the NHS to protect the vulnerable. She said lists of clinically vulnerable patients must be updated frequently and checked before someone's energy was disconnected and that there should be a "fail-safe" to ensure those who become vulnerable cannot lose their energy supply.
She wants to see a communications campaign to ensure the public "know their rights" and to ensure the NHS has the information necessary to advise patients if they could be disconnected. She said energy companies should also have a senior officer with the job of liaising with the NHS and social care on this issue.
This comes after a report from University College London's Institute for Health Equity - headed up by Sir Michael Marmot who is a patron of Tyneside-based charity Healthworks - warned of a "humanitarian crisis" due to the inabilty of households in deprived areas to heat their homes.
In the IHE's report - Fuel Poverty, Cold Homes And Health Inequalities - Sir Michael said growing up in cold homes will have "dangerous consequences" for children. He said: "If the health of our population is under threat, it means we're doing something terribly wrong as a society."
Challenged about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the NHS this week, Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse said the rising cost of living and pressures on the NHS have "potentially severe impacts" and "it is vital that we develop robust plans urgently to mitigate their impact and come up with solutions".
The Cabinet Office said Mr Malthouse has led a meeting of ministers and officials from across Government to drive forward preparatory work for the rising cost-of-living and NHS pressures this winter. It added he has been chairing these meetings throughout the summer to discuss decisions that can be made once a new administration is in place.
Mr Malthouse said: “My chief priority has been to make sure that we are prepared for the significant challenges we expect to face this autumn and winter, and I have held regular meetings to make sure departments maintain pace and grip on this essential work now, and in the coming months, as this will be a marathon not a sprint.
“The cost of living, driven in part by higher energy prices, is biting for individuals, families and businesses, and the NHS is already under pressure – and that’s ahead of the flu season. These risks have potentially severe impacts, stacking up on the most vulnerable people in society, and it is vital that we develop robust plans urgently to mitigate their impact and come up with solutions."
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