GPs have started to prescribe heating for patients who have medical conditions that get worse in the cold. So far, the Warm Home Prescription pilot has paid to heat the homes of 28 low-income patients, reports the BBC.
It is now being expanded to more than 1,000 homes on Teesside, Aberdeenshire and in the NHS Gloucestershire area..
Mum of two Michelle Davis, who has arthritis and serious pulmonary illness, took part in the trial and didn't have to pay to keep her home warm. She told the BBC: "When the weather turns cold, I tend to seize up. It's very painful, my joins ache and my bones are like hot pokers."
After taking part in the trial she said: "You're not stuck in bed, you're not going to hospital, my children were able to have a life, they were able to go out and play and get cold.
"I was able to be a mum, and my kids could be kids, not just carers."
Energy Systems Catapult and energy charity Severn Wye are behind the scheme. NHS social prescribers visit homes to identify those who could benefit.
Dr Matt Lipson who helped design the trial said: "If we buy the energy people need but can't afford, they can keep warm at home and stay out of hospital. That would target support to where it's needed, save money overall and take pressure off the health service."
Dr Hein La Roux's surgery took part. He said: "It's actually saved a lot of money for other services and also saved our workload."
