§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many press releases his Department has issued publicising action taken by health authorities to prevent illness caused by cold and damp housing; and on what dates they were issued; [82748]
(2) what guidance he has issued to health authorities on ways in which they may promote or assist with schemes to prevent illness caused by cold and damp housing; [82747]
(3) if he will list the health authorities which are currently assisting or promoting schemes to prevent illness caused by cold and damp homes; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards such schemes. [82753]
§ Ms JowellThe Department has issued no such press releases. In terms of guidance in this area, the Department has issued a joint Health Service/Local Authority Circular to the National Health Service and local government on the introduction of Health Improvement Programmes (HImPs). HImPs provide the framework for health authorities to bring together all local players to assess local health needs, identify what needs to be done to address national and local priorities and agree how each can contribute. Through this process, health authorities will develop comprehensive local programmes to tackle the wider determinants of ill health, of which cold and damp housing is one. The Department is aware of a number of projects where health authorities and local agencies have taken joint action to tackle ill health exacerbated by cold and damp housing, although no 353W central record is kept of all such schemes. The Government welcome such projects as positive examples of the kind of joint working at the local level that HImPs are designed to establish.