Date published: 29 October 2024
Mersey Care has teamed up with a Liverpool housing association and a charity foundation in a unique project which will integrate social housing data into offical NHS records and link them to health outcomes.
The pilot partnership with Prima Group and funded by social enterprise Fusion21 Foundation will allow the NHS to access key housing data - like living conditions, accessibility and locality - and will allow a more comprehensive understanding of those tenants' health needs and offer proactive support services tailored to individual requirements.
"This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our continuous pursuit of excellence in patient care and support services," explained Prof Joe Rafferty CBE, Mersey Care's Chief Executive Officer.
“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.”
Tthe Prima Groupn hope the pilot can help develop a framework for a national roll-out with Chief Executive John Ghader saying: “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.
“When we get this right, we see tenants maximise their independence and reduce demand on the health service. This exciting collaboration will help us do more of this, pre-empting when customers need changes made to their home and ensuring resources are targeted where they make the most impact, prioritising property interventions around preventative health management.“
Wes Baker, Director of Strategic Analytics, Economics and Population Health Management at Mersey Care, said: "In this groundbreaking project, we're not just sharing data; we're weaving together the fabric of our community's health and well-being.
“By integrating housing data with health records, we're unlocking unparalleled insights into how our living environments influence health outcomes."
All data sharing will be conducted with the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection, and will be anonymised, ensuring any personal information is handled with the utmost care and respect.
Jo Hannan, Head of Foundation at Fusion21, added: “As a foundation we support research and initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions that make positive differences to peoples’ lives.
“We're delighted to have funded such a pioneering and important piece of work, paving the way for a more joined-up approach to addressing the needs of tenants and their health.
“This multi-agency project is a fantastic example of working collaboratively to deliver positive outcomes for those who need it most, we look forward to the learning and outcomes and hope it becomes a blueprint for other organisations.”