People who are old or ill are very vulnerable in the winter months. Those with heart and lung disease are particularly at risk. If their homes are difficult to keep warm, their chances of failing to survive the winter are increased.

Bradford has a notoriously high incidence of heart disease. It also has a lot of poor-quality housing, particularly in the inner-city areas. So there are two good reasons for the district to be the target of a scheme to offer energy-saving and insulation measures "on prescription" and carried out by specially-vetted contractors.

The scheme, to be run by Bradford Health Authority and Bradford Council with £100,000 of Government money over three years, should make an impact on the health of people whose illnesses are worse in cold weather, particularly as the aim is to improve the energy efficiency of more than 1,600 homes during that period.

That is an ambitious target. Reaching it will require the full co-operation of GPs and the other health and social services to see that the help goes where it is needed.

It is a good idea to involve the professionals in this way rather than expecting the people in need of help to come forward on their own. They are the ones who see the effects of poor housing as they go about their work. Now they will be in a position to do something about it by referring their patients or clients to the scheme so they can find out what needs to be done to make their homes warmer and consequently safer.

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