The Improvement Service today published their initial findings from an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships (WAHPs) ‘test-and-learn’ initiative, funded by the Scottish Government.
Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships (WAHPs) provide access to welfare rights and money advice services in GP Practices. This involves a Welfare Rights Advisor, who provides regulated and accredited advice services, becoming a member of the Practice Team with consensual access to medical records.
This report evaluates the impact of the initial ’test-and-learn’ period, supported by Scottish Government funding, which has enabled nine local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) to establish WAHPs in around 150 GP Practices in areas of Scotland that were experiencing social and economic deprivation. Additional funding was later provided to extend the approach into around 30 GP Practices in rural and island communities and the evaluation of this will follow later in 2024. In total fifteen local authorities and HSCPs have participated in the programme.
Following conclusion of the initial ‘test-and-learn' period in March of this year, and in recognition of the positive impacts of WAHPs, continued Scottish Government investment this financial year is being supported by local authority contributions towards the costs of the initiative.
The findings from this evaluation show that over 16,000 individuals used the service during the ‘test-and-learn’ period, making financial gains of £23 million. 89% of individuals accessing advice in their GP surgery had not previously sought help and 75% of those using the service sought advice in their GP Practice because it was suggested by practice staff, with individuals reporting improved mental health, wellbeing and reduced stress as a result of getting advice in their GP Practice.
Advice providers, GPs and individuals all viewed the provision of welfare rights advice in GP surgeries positively. One GP involved in the project said:
“We all know that socio-economic stressors will often manifest as physical symptoms - if this saves even one GP appointment per week its working as it should.”
Individuals who accessed WAHPs reported that it had a significant impact on their lives, with one user saying:
“I hadn’t been sleeping before I saw the adviser as a result of stress and worry. As soon as I walked out of the appointment, I felt a massive relief. That night was the best sleep I’d had in ages because the adviser explained everything to me and helped with all the claims I needed.”
One of the advice providers involved in the scheme added:
“Where staff should be is where communities need advice - in GP practices.”
The evaluation findings were shared at an event today which was attended by representatives from local authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships and the advice sector, with contributions from the Improvement Service, Dundee City Council, the Deep End Group of GPs and Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
In response to the evaluation report, Mr Gray said:
“It is clear that the Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships model of advice is enabling more people to engage with the support they require. This ‘test-and-learn' initiative has been a truly collaborative process which has made, and is continuing to make, a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland.”