Fuel Poverty Project
Last Updated: Wednesday, 05 August 2026Sefton Community Respiratory Team is working in partnership with Health Innovation North West Coast and Energy Projects Plus to proactively identify and support patients with COPD who may be experiencing fuel poverty.
The aim of the project is to improve the health and wellbeing of these patients by providing accessible, joined-up and proactive support. By helping people to live in warmer, healthier homes, the project hopes to reduce hospital admissions, improve patient engagement and ensure that patients can access appropriate health, housing and financial advice.
Patients are identified using information from the CIPHA fuel poverty dashboard Cipha dashboard
Sefton CRT will identify patients within your practice who may be at greater risk. Patients will meet the following criteria:
- Registered with a Sefton GP practice
- Have COPD recorded as a QOF condition
- Live in a property with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G, or where no EPC is recorded
- Have a greater than 50% risk of an emergency hospital admission
- Live in an area within Indices of Multiple Deprivation decile 1
- Do not live in a care home
Sefton Community Respiratory Team will write to eligible patients with information about the project. The team will then contact them by telephone to offer a home visit from a specialist respiratory nurse.
During the visit, the nurse will carry out a holistic respiratory review, review and optimise the patient’s medication, and make referrals to other appropriate services. This may include a referral to Energy Projects Plus for support with housing, heating and energy costs.
Patients who do not wish to receive a home visit will be offered telephone advice, guidance and signposting to relevant support services.