The ECO4 scheme is a government initiative designed to help low-income and vulnerable households improve their insulation and heating solutions. Private companies have been reaching out to households through cold calls and direct mail to identify eligible homes, which may have raised expectations.
To qualify for ECO4 as a vulnerable individual, patients are approaching GP practices to complete application forms with evidence of their medical conditions. It’s important to note that this task is not part of the GMS contract. The GPC have clarified that this is not contractual work, but would rather fall within the remit of private work. Therefore, practices can decide whether to undertake this work and set their own fees for completing in accordance to private work policy.
If a GP practice chooses not to complete the paperwork, it has been suggested for the practice to provide the patient with a brief medical history summary to support the application. There is no requirement for the ECO4 form to be completed by the GP, and practices should not feel pressured to use the NHS template letter.
Should the practice decide to take on this private work, patients must be informed that the form will be completed with factual clinical information and does not confirm eligibility. This work must be funded, as GPs are not a free service for other organizations. It is suggested that this work, benefiting low-income and vulnerable households, should be funded by the public sector organization or those working for them. Practices may wish to contact the relevant organization to discuss their fee before completing the paperwork. It is also important to note that if someone qualifies based on low income, they should not need to apply on health grounds as well.