Supporting health services partnerships for healthier homes

How Home Energy Scotland works with health services

Working closely with NHS teams helps Home Energy Scotland reach people who may not otherwise seek advice. Across the Strathclyde area, most Home Energy Scotland engagement takes place through NHS staff, creating opportunities to connect with households through professionals they know and trust.

A key part of this partnership is the Home Energy Scotland referral portal. This secure online tool allows health professionals to quickly refer patients for personalised energy advice, helping make energy support a natural part of wider care.

Bringing energy advice into everyday healthcare settings

Energy advice is now being shared in places people already visit for support. This includes major hospitals such as Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary, as well as community clinics and local health services across Lanarkshire.

NHS teams across a wide range of services use the referral portal, including acute care, mental health and community health. This means people can be connected to support whether they’re attending a hospital appointment, speaking to a health visitor or accessing local services.

Home Energy Scotland also supports NHS staff directly. Advisors take part in wellbeing events at sites such as Gartnavel Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. These sessions help staff understand how to reduce energy use at home and access any support they may be entitled to.

Guidance is also available through NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s “All About Money” staff hub, making it easy for staff to find trusted information in one place.

The difference partnerships make for people and families

By working alongside health services, Home Energy Scotland can support people earlier - often before energy issues begin to seriously affect their health.

This approach makes it easier for people to talk about energy costs and find help in a setting that feels familiar and supportive. It also helps reach households who may face barriers to accessing advice, such as digital exclusion or lack of awareness about available support.

For many people, this means:

• feeling more confident managing energy bills
• improving comfort at home; and
• reducing stress linked to rising costs.

For NHS teams, it provides a clear and trusted way to connect patients with practical support that sits alongside their care.

What we've learned from working together

Working with health services has shown how important trusted relationships are in helping people access support.

When energy advice is offered through professionals people already know, it feels more accessible, reliable, and relevant. Bringing support into healthcare settings also helps reach households who might not actively seek help elsewhere.

We’ve also seen the value of making referrals simple. Tools like the referral portal help integrate energy advice into everyday practice, making it easier for staff to take action during routine conversations.

Partner with Home Energy Scotland

Home Energy Scotland welcomes opportunities to collaborate with organisations committed to reducing fuel poverty and supporting inclusive, sustainable communities.

To explore partnership opportunities, visit homeenergyscotland.org/partner-with-us.