Residents across Liverpool are set to benefit from a unique project that will see housing data becoming incorporated into health records.
Coming as part of a collaboration between Mersey Care and a Liverpool housing association, the move will bring data such as living conditions, accessibility, and locality into NHS records, so that a more comprehensive understanding can be built up of that person’s needs. This will then allow the tenant to access more proactive support that is tailored to their specific requirements.
This will also help to reach some of the members of communities in Liverpool that face the biggest health inequalities and will support preventative measures to try and reduce the demand on health and care services. By being able to pre-empt when residents might require changes to their homes, as well as preventative interventions, this project will further integrate living environments and health outcomes, for the better.
Chief Executive Officer at Mersey Care, Professor Joe Rafferty, said:
"This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our continuous pursuit of excellence in patient care and support services.
“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."
More data than ever is being shared across public sector organisations, and those in the private sector, to try and improve outcomes for communities. This move, as is the case with all of the other examples, will see the highest standards of confidentiality and data protection, with personal information being anonymised and handled with care.
Jo Hannan, Head of Foundation at Fusion 21 – the social enterprise funding the programme, said:
“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.”
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