e-Learning to help people living in cold homes

Around three million people in England live in homes that are too cold. The health effects are enormous – people can end up visiting their GP more, being admitted to hospital, becoming depressed, or even dying because they are just not warm enough at home.

Health Education England elearning for healthcare (HEE elfh) has worked with Public Health England (PHE) to develop the Helping People Living in Cold Homes elearning programme for health and care professionals.

The elearning resource supports health and social care professionals to put National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance into practice.

Aimed at health and care staff who undertake home visits, the resource provides information on local services that can assist people living in cold homes, such as installing insulation, improving heating systems or helping reduce energy bills.

It also helps people spot the signs of a cold home – including less obvious ones.

With this information, staff can have a conversation with people whose health may be affected by being too cold at home, and signpost them to the relevant local services.

For more information about the elearning programme, including details on how to access, visit: https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/cold-homes/.