Press release - One Housing Group

Press release Embargoed until 00:01hrs Monday 14 July 2014

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS HOW HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS CAN HELP AVOID NHS CRISIS The social housing sector could play a key role in helping the NHS deal with the twin threats of budget squeezes and an ageing population, according to a new report from the Smith Institute. The findings, produced with support from One Housing Group, are launched at Westminster today (Monday 14 July 2014) and follow research released two weeks ago showing that joint work with the housing sector could save the NHS up to £6bn over 25 years1.

The report, Housing associations and the NHS: new thinking, new partnerships is based on interviews with over 50 key figures from the health and housing sectors including hospital managers, housing chiefs and private sector developers. It looks at how creative use of NHS land can not only help reduce the £30bn healthcare funding gap forecast to face the NHS by 2020/21 but at the same time deliver lasting public benefit and improve health outcomes for patients.

Reduced hospital admissions and more care in the community are essential to helping the NHS care for people with mental health problems as well as the growing number of older people with lasting health conditions According to the report, both of these outcomes can be met through innovative ‘half way house’ supported housing facilities for people who don’t require hospitalisation but still need care and support.

NHS trusts are under pressure to sell off land to the highest bidder for one-off profit. The report says that this is short-sighted and shows how housing associations can work with NHS trusts to keep the land while providing cheaper healthcare facilities for the local community.

According to the report’s author, Denise Chevin (research fellow, Smith Institute): “We need to focus more on considering how NHS surplus land can be used to improve care pathways and take into account value to the community as well as sale value of NHS land on the open market. We also need a special fund to kick-start new housing-led healthcare schemes”.

Paul Hackett, Director of the Smith Institute said: “What ought to be a perfect marriage too often fails to get off the ground due to lack of understanding about what can be achieved and unnecessary red tape.”

Kevin Beirne, Group Director for Housing Care and Support at One Housing Group which runs Tile House, a pioneering supported housing project in London with Camden & Islington NHS Trust, said: “Our partnership project in London is clearly benefiting both purse strings and people. Instead of being confined to expensive hospital wards – and potentially blocking beds for those more in need – people at Tile House receive NHS-quality care in a setting that feels like home. People recover more quickly in this environment and get the care they need at a fraction of the cost of being in hospital.”

Ends

Notes to Editors 1. NHS surplus land for supported housing; why now and what are the possible cost savings, Smith Institute research paper, June 2014. Download from http://www.smithinstitute.org.uk/file/NHS%20surplus%20land%20for%20supported%20housing.p df 2. The report is being launched at 16:30hrs on Monday 14July in Committee Room 3A at the House of Lords. Speakers include Lord Hunt (Shadow Health Spokesperson) and Wendy Wallace, Chief Executive, Camden & Islington NHS Trust. To attend, please contact Natalia Raha on 020 7845 5845 or [email protected]. 3. The Smith Institute is a leading independent think tank which promotes progressive policies for a fairer society. It provides a high-level forum for new thinking and debate on public policy and politics. 4. One Housing Group is a leading provider of housing, care and support across London and the South East. We create great homes for sale to fund the development of high quality affordable housing for people who need it. We are driven by the values of choice, innovation and quality that make a difference to peoples’ lives. Our focus is to design and build beautiful homes, and to deliver high quality services and support to make our properties great places to live.

For further information, contact: Paul Hackett, the Smith Institute, 020 7845 5847, 07908 226481 or [email protected] Paul Fawcett, One Housing Group, 020 7428 4107, 07837 092180 or [email protected] Melinda Newitt, One Housing Group, 020 7428 4271, 07879 890284 or [email protected]