NHS trusts seek to open ‘warm banks’ as energy crisis hits patients

As reported by the Independent, NHS trusts are considering opening warm banks because of fears lives are at risk this winter as the cost of living crisis deepens.

At least two trusts are looking at giving hospital and healthcare spaces up for people in need of a warm place, while one GP said she would offer food and open a room in her office for people struggling to heat their homes.

It comes as an NHS chief warned a lack of heating could be “life-threatening” for vulnerable patients and is leading to hospital admissions.

Staff in Harrogate are looking at whether they can use the trust’s hospital education centre as a warm place for patients. It has also launched support for workers struggling with the rising cost of living, including a shop from which workers can take items at no cost and can make donations.

It has also increased its petrol reimbursement mileage rates for staff, has not reintroduced car parking charges, allows staff to sell back their holiday allowance and offers a £500 grant for anyone struggling.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said health leaders were worried thousands of people will face the choice between skipping meals and having to heat their homes or living in cold, damp conditions.

He said this would exacerbate health inequalities and that health leaders “know well that fuel poverty is likely to lead to significant extra demand on what are already very fragile services”.

“The Government’s ‘education investment areas’ omit London entirely so money will, in effect, be transferred away from the capital. This will put the great gains that have been made at risk, and while inequalities between the regions may be reduced it will be levelling-down rather raising performance.”