National award for Healthy Homes
It's third time lucky for team as they scoop Municipal Journal Award.
Congratulation to the Healthy Homes teams in Public Protection for scooping a prestigious local government Oscar.
The Healthy Homes programme - which tackles poor and dangerous housing conditions and the health problems it creates - has been crowned winner of Municipal Journal's Public Protection Achievement Award 2011.
Through a groundbreaking partnership with Liverpool Primary Care Trust, Healthy Homes is making a real difference to people's lives. And it's not just the judges who think so. Over 90% of customers have rated the service as good or excellent.
Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool Primary Care Trust said: “We know from our research that poor housing contributes to around 500 deaths and 5000 illnesses that require medical attention each year. The Healthy Homes programme recognises the link between poor housing and poor health and has been working hard to address these health inequalities since it was launched. This award not only highlights the importance of the home on our health, but also shows that Liverpool PCT and Liverpool City Council are exemplars of partnership working in this area.
“The programme has already undertaken thousands of assessments of people’s homes and their wellbeing, making a positive difference to the lives of thousands of the city’s most vulnerable residents by taking action to address health hazards such as extreme cold and damp. Importantly, this programme has become a hub for Liverpool residents to access a range of health and social care partners from NHS dentists to stop smoking services and education or employment support which they may not have accessed otherwise. We are delighted the programme has been recognised with this award.”
The work sees a small army of Environmental Health Officers using their enforcement powers to inspect rented properties in the city's most deprived areas. They identify and then remove serious hazards, such as excess cold, damp, unsafe electrics and fire risks, creating safer and healthier living environments for some of our most vulnerable and hardest to reach residents.
In the first 18 months alone, they've visited over 11,000 properties, made 11,700 referrals to partners and prompted over £2.5m investment by landlords in private housing.
Phil Hatcher, Healthy Homes business manager, said: "This is fantastic and long overdue recognition for the team. I simply want to say thank you for all your efforts - that's those staff still with us and also those who have recently left."
