Two innovative schemes being delivered for NHS patients by Gloucester-based energy efficiency charity Severn Wye have been shortlisted for a national health award.
Warmth on Prescription and NHS Retrofit are finalists for the partnerships category in the Health Service Journal Awards, which has attracted more than 1300 entries. Severn Wye qualified for entry after winning ‘best not for profit partnership with the NHS’ at an awards event in March 2026.
Both projects aim to improve physical and mental health outcomes for patients whose chronic health conditions are particularly affected by living in cold homes, and to save costs to the NHS and wider society by reducing clinical appointments and hospital stays.
Delivered in partnership with NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Gloucestershire County Council, Warmth on Prescription is an innovative acute-support programme. NHS clinicians refer eligible patients for free energy advice, low-cost measures and one-off financial support to help them stay warm and healthy at home over winter.
The scheme highlighted the need for more comprehensive improvement to patients’ homes which could address the energy efficiency of the properties to achieve better health outcomes and cost savings over the longer term. Severn Wye added their impartial home retrofit expertise to the mix and, with funding from NHS Gloucestershire ICB, created ‘NHS Retrofit’.
With up to £20,000 available per property to install measures including insulation, solar PV, replacement windows and boilers, and batteries, the scheme will keep patients warmer and more secure at home for years to come.
Last winter Warmth on Prescription patients reported 15% fewer clinical visits, 33% fewer visits to A&E and 38% fewer hospital stays. The 19 households supported through NHS Retrofit each saved an estimated £947 on average on their annual bills – a 67% reduction. And the Building Research Establishment’s Housing Health Cost Calculator puts cost savings to the NHS and wider society at an estimated £296,800 over the lifetime of the measures installed through the scheme.
Severn Wye’s chief executive, Andy MacPherson, said:
‘These awards recognise the most impactful work happening across the NHS and are seen to drive best practice and the wider adoption of new projects across health and care. We see huge potential for rolling these projects out, in partnership with the NHS and local authorities, across England and Wales, so to be named a finalist is fantastic. I’m proud of our teams for their tireless work to keep vulnerable patients warm, safe and healthier at home.’
Councillor Dr Kate Usmar, cabinet member for Adult Support & Independence, Gloucestershire County Council, said:
“It’s fantastic to see this partnership recognised on a national stage. These are really exciting projects that show how organisations can work together to tackle the wider factors that affect people’s health and wellbeing, helping residents stay warm, safe and independent in their own homes. By supporting some of our most vulnerable communities and preventing avoidable ill-health, we’re improving lives while also reducing demand on health and care services. We are so proud to see Gloucestershire’s collaborative approach having a positive impact across our county.”
Dr Hein Le Roux, local GP and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, NHS Gloucestershire, said:
“It’s fantastic to see this work recognised. These projects show that improving health isn’t always about medical treatment alone. For many people, having a warm, safe home can make a significant difference to their health and wellbeing. Thanks to the commitment of colleagues across the NHS, local government, and Severn Wye, we’re seeing real benefits for patients, and I’m delighted that this has been recognised.”
Finalists will attend a judging panel in October 2026 and the awards are announced in November 2026.
