What is the Welsh Government doing to encourage health boards in Wales to adhere to and implement NICE NG6 Guidelines, in order to reduce the tangible link between fuel poverty and ill health in Wales?
All NICE guidelines and quality standards apply to Wales but they are not mandatory. Health boards are expected to consider NICE guidelines alongside any other standards when planning, commissioning and delivering services for their populations. The link below provides further information on how they can make best use of NICE guidance and quality standards and it will be for their Boards to assure themselves that NICE guidelines are being considered alongside all other relevant standards in the provision of safe and effective healthcare.
The Warm Homes Nest scheme provides support to improve home energy efficiency for lower income households and those most at risk of living in fuel poverty, in the owner occupier and private rented sector. Following publication of the NICE NG6 guidance the NEST scheme was expanded to help support the reduction of health risks (including preventable deaths) associated with living in a cold home. As a result of successful partnership working with the health sector, the Nest health pilot which was initially introduced in September 2017, had more than 400 health practitioner supported referrals made to it as at December 2020.
https://gov.wales/national-institute-health-and-care-excellence-nice-guidelines