Boiler Breakdown Cover Specialists Comment on Plan to Offer Prescription Boilers in Sunderland

Sunderland, United Kingdom, May 24, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group has begun offering people with serious health conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder replacement boilers and other energy efficiency improvements.

The scheme, run through a collaboration with Gentoo Group, is in its pilot phases at the moment, but if it is successful, it could be replicated across the country.

Commenting on the initiative, Kevin Burke, of boiler breakdown cover providers 247 Home Rescue (http://247homerescue.co.uk), said: "This is a brilliant idea and I am sure it is going to be a phenomenal success, not only in improving people's health but also in cutting energy bills for some of the most vulnerable people in Sunderland.

"The energy efficiency improvements performed in Sunderland cost an average of £5,000 per household - small change when you consider that an accident and emergency visit sets taxpayers back around £2,500 at a time.

"The link between COPD, other respiratory illnesses, and cold houses is well-established. Initiatives like this could help to end the scandal of ill, vulnerable people living in draughty, inefficient houses that worsen their health problems.

"The health benefits of a prescription boiler could well be as great as the benefits of more invasive or dangerous treatment options. I hope to see other Clinical Commissioning Groups developing similar projects in the months and years to come."

Notes for editors
247 Home Rescue provides home emergency, appliance and boiler breakdown cover across the UK. Their Twitter account is https://twitter.com/247homerescue.

Details about Sunderland CCG's initiative can be seen here: http://sunderlandccg.nhs.uk/news-media/news/gentoo-group-launch-boiler-on-prescription-pilot/