'I lived in cold home as I couldn't afford boiler'
BBC/Jim ScottA pensioner who lived without hot water and central heating for more than a year because she could not afford to replace her ageing boiler, has urged others to seek help sooner.
Lynda Graves, from South Shields, said her home became "so cold" she was unable to invite her 101-year-old mother to visit.
The 76-year-old developed symptoms of asthma and said the experience had left her feeling "down and depressed".
A new NHS Healthy Homes scheme, designed to support those with damp, cold, and social isolation, has since provided support so she can get a replacement.
The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which funds the social prescribing project, said spotting risks early reduced health problems, and in turn reduced pressures on hospital admissions.
Supplied"In the winter you got used to it," said Graves, who lives with her two dogs and cat.
"I thought I was managing OK, but breathing in cold air for that length of time... I was diagnosed with asthma."
She said she was unable to pay the near £3,000 it would cost to have her 19-year-old boiler replaced, and tried to look for other ways to keep warm.
Previous attempts to apply for free or discounted boiler schemes were unsuccessful, with Graves being repeatedly told she did not qualify.
The situation deteriorated to the point her mother, Sally Wardle, was no longer able to visit safely.
"I would bring her over and I would sit and have a cup of tea, just to get her out of the house, but the whole house was just really cold... it was freezing cold."
BBC/Jim ScottA scheme, which is being rolled out across 21 GP surgeries in South Tyneside, found Graves' living situation was unhealthy and she was referred for support.
It helped her apply for a grant that allowed her boiler to be replaced as a vulnerable homeowner.
Dr Nousha Ali, clinical lead at the North East and North Cumbria ICB, said cold homes affect "physical and mental health", while risking worsening those with pre-existing conditions.
She said the scheme was targeting those in increased areas of depravation, which would help reduce the number of people requiring hospital treatment.
The NHS Healthy Homes scheme is being run in partnership with South Tyneside Council and First Contact Clinical.
