Liverpool project integrates social housing data and NHS records

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Prima Group, a Liverpool housing association, have joined forces on a project that integrates social care housing data into NHS records to improve health outcomes. 

The pilot, which started in August 2023 and is expected to last until 2025, securely integrates housing data, encompassing living conditions, accessibility and locality, into NHS health records, with the aim of improving the quality of support services given to tenants.

By doing so, Prima Group can identify patterns linking social housing conditions to various health outcomes to gain a more comprehensive understanding of its tenants’ health needs so it can offer proactive support services tailored to individual circumstances.

John Ghader, chief executive at Prima Group, said: “Housing associations have a key role in reaching groups facing some of the biggest health inequalities and providing preventative support services to people in their homes.

“When we get this right, we see tenants maximise their independence and reduce demand on the health service.

“This exciting collaboration will help us do more of this, pre-empting when customers need changes made to their home and ensuring resources are targeted where they make the most impact, prioritising property interventions around preventative health management.”

The project would allow Prima Group to be alerted when minor adaptations are needed for frail residents, so they are less likely to fall in their homes or residents with respiratory illnesses to be prioritised for energy efficiency upgrades to their homes to reduce the risk of damp and mould.

Professor Joe Rafferty, chief executive at Mersey Care, said: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our continuous pursuit of excellence in patient care and support services.

“By bridging the gap between social housing and healthcare, we’re setting a precedent for how organisations can collaborate in truly innovative ways to enhance the lives of the communities we serve.

“This project underlines our belief that everyone deserves access to comprehensive healthcare solutions, tailored to their unique circumstances.”

The project is being supported by social enterprise Fusion21 Foundation.

Jo Hannan, head of foundation at Fusion21, said: “As a foundation we support research and initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions that make positive differences to peoples’ lives.

“We are delighted to have funded such a pioneering and important piece of work, paving the way for a more joined-up approach to addressing the needs of tenants and their health.

“This multi-agency project is a fantastic example of working collaboratively to deliver positive outcomes for those who need it most, we look forward to the learning and outcomes and hope it becomes a blueprint for other organisations.”

Once the pilot is completed, the hope is to spread the programme across Cheshire and Merseyside by bringing all the housing associations in the region on board.

Meanwhile, Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System announced in October 2024 that it has selected a healthcare cyber security platform from Cynerio to strengthen its defences following an increase in disruptive attacks on UK healthcare systems.