Spotlight SHINEs on NomadE5

TWO cases of cancer and a life threatening heart condition are among the health problems successfully treated thanks to an initiative by NomadE5 which has just picked up a prestigious award.

The Home Health Assessments initiative was put together by NomadE5 to check on the health of over 200 of its clients with mental health problems, and 130 residents of sheltered housing.

The scheme proved so successful that it has just won a SHINE (Showcasing Housing Initiatives in the North East) award from the National Housing Federation.

People with mental health problems sometimes neglect their physical health, and avoid contact with their GP - or face discrimination from them - as their mental health can dominate their outlook.

Older people in sheltered schemes can occasionally become isolated from mainstream healthcare too.

So NomadE5 formed a partnership with Newcastle's Freeman Hospital to offer home based health assessments. A nurse was employed to carry out a range of assessments in tenants homes including: lifestyle assessments, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, liver and kidney function tests, diabetes checks and monitoring, well women checks and nutritional advice.

The two partners jointly purchased the necessary equipment and resources so the checks could be done in people's homes.

The overall results of the assessments included:

- Two people being advised to have more extensive tests in hospital, who were then diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer.
- One person diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition and now receives medication to control it.
- 14 people now on life saving cholesterol lowering drugs
- Eight people now receiving treatment for high blood pressure
- Three people diagnosed with diabetes and are now receiving treatment
- One person diagnosed and treated for a kidney disorder
- 20 people signed up for lifestyle change programmes to include healthier eating, stopping smoking and attending NomadE5 activities such as: walking, badminton, gym visits, football, and cycling.

NomadE5, part of the Isos Group, picked up the SHINE award at a dinner held at the Centre for Life in Newcastle city centre - the second year in a row the organisation has been recognised at the awards.

The National Housing Federation holds the SHINE awards to highlight that housing associations do a lot more than simply provide roofs over their tenants' heads - and that they work with a wide variety of partners to improve services.

NomadE5's scheme to provide health assessments for vulnerable tenants was put together by care & support manager (operations) Charlie Culshaw, working with Dr Dermot Neely and his team at the Freeman.

Charlie said: "Obviously we are pleased that this initiative has won an award, but the most vital result of the assessments was the life threatening health problems which were picked up.
"People in all walks of life are often unwilling to tackle health problems, and that is especially true of the most vulnerable in society. We hope our award win will highlight the importance of thinking innovatively to care for people's needs."

Keith Loraine, chief executive of Isos Housing Group, said: "Charlie and his team deserve enormous credit for developing a new way of working which might well have saved lives.
"This is the second year in a row our group has won a SHINE award, after last year's recognition of our regeneration work at Cleadon Park in South Tyneside.
"I think that demonstrates the commitment of our staff to all their customers and to improving the communities where we work."

Derek Long, head of north for the National Housing Federation, said: "NomadE5 with the its home health assessments for vulnerable tenants scheme is a fantastic example of the innovative partnership working taking place in the North East.
"It highlights that housing associations are about more than bricks and mortar - they are helping individuals and communities.
"The SHINE awards put a spotlight on initiatives that make a real difference. This is a unique project potentially saving lives. Everyone involved has a great deal to be proud of!"