Prima Group and NHS launch pilot project to tackle health inequalities in social housing

A pilot project led by Prima Group and the NHS could help tackle health inequalities in social housing through early intervention and personalised home improvements.

Designed by the Liverpool-based housing association in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, the Healthy@Home scheme aims to better connect housing conditions with medical and wellbeing support for individuals.

For example, a resident with a respiratory illness may see their symptoms improve through energy efficiency upgrades to increase ventilation. Meanwhile, small changes like grab handles could reduce the risk of “frail” tenants falling.

Prima Group has invited more than 220 tenants in Wavertree and Picton in the east of the city to take part in the trial, which it said could see the first residents in the UK have their housing conditions integrated into official NHS records.

The 2,700-home landlord has shared a list of its properties in these areas with Mersey Care, so NHS colleagues can review the property information of consenting tenants to identify those who may benefit from additional support.

Customers who choose to take part will meet with a member of Mersey Care’s integrated care team and their designated Prima Group neighbourhood housing officer to assess whether practical, bespoke improvements could be made to the tenant’s home to help boost their health, independence and safety.

Prima Group has said that no personal or medical information will be shared with the landlord during this process. For example, when a neighbourhood officer is introduced to jointly meet with the tenant and Mersey Care’s integrated care team, they will only be privy to discussing what can be done to fix the tenant’s home.

Prima Group housing manager, Lisa Caldwell, said: “This will help us provide early interventions allowing people to stay healthy at home so we really encourage the tenants we have invited to get in touch and take part in the pilot.

“With social housing tenants facing some of the biggest health inequalities in society, this pioneering project will improve their independence while reducing avoidable pressure on NHS services.”

Prima Group said the long-term aim of Healthy@Home is to develop a framework for ongoing collaboration between social landlords and the NHS to be rolled out nationally.

The project is being part-funded by the Fusion21 Foundation, a charity specialising in public sector procurement and social value.