A new pilot
programme that places link workers in GP surgeries is tackling health
inequalities in some of Scotland’s most deprived communities.
Health Secretary
Alex Neil visited Allander Practice in Glasgow yesterday – one of those
taking part in the Link Worker Programme. He met link workers, GPs and
patients, and also announced that the pilot will be extended for a further
three years, up to 2018.
Under the
programme, link workers are based in seven surgeries in low-income communities.
It means GPs can refer patients if they have problems which go beyond the scope
of medical treatment.
The link worker
can then help people to deal with financial, emotional or environmental
problems. These might be caused by problems with housing, debt, social
isolation, stress or fuel poverty. Link workers can give people advice, or
direct them to organisations and activities in the community, enabling them to
cope more effectively and feel more supported in their communities.
The scheme will be
evaluated, with patient outcomes from the participating practices compared with
eight practices outside the scheme. Ministers will then consider whether to
roll it out further.
The Scottish Government is working with the Health and Social Care Alliance to
deliver the pilot programme.
Mr Neil
said:
“The link
worker programme is right on the front line of the battle against health
inequalities. This is about giving people an extra helping hand to address the
problems that are making them feel unwell.
“We know
that people who are living in deprived and challenging circumstances are more
likely to experience mental health problems, and more likely to use acute and
emergency hospital services. By helping them to deal with some of the problems
they’re facing, the link workers can give them the chance to live happier
lives, with less chance of illness further down the road.
“I’m
delighted to be able to announce extra funding for the programme, that will
take it up to 2018. A full evaluation will be carried out, and we will then
decide whether or not to extend it to GP practices across the
country.”
Background
The link worker
programme was initially intended to run from September 2013 to March 2015. The
extra funding means it will now run until May 2018, at which point a decision
will be taken on whether to extend it, based on the evaluation
findings.
Each participating
practice will receive around £50,000 per year to pay for one link worker,
and for practice development.