Integrating money advice workers into primary care settings: an evaluation by Glasgow Centre for Population Health
Accessing money advice services in GP practices has only been tested on a small scale in Glasgow. Yet, the city has 80 of the 100 “Deep End” GP practices serving the most deprived populations in Scotland. Initial learning from two local practices supported this study which looked at integrating advice services in nine Deep End practices across north east Glasgow over a 12-month period.
This new study from Glasgow Centre for Population Health found that GPs took the lead in referrals, which totalled 654 people. The majority were living below a standard poverty measure and often had no past contact with advice services. There were £1.5 million in gains with successful claims for disability-related benefits making up half of the gains. Support to manage household debts totalled £470,000 with rent and council tax arrears significant debts. The main reasons people accepted support from other services was homelessness and housing, followed by mental health. The return on investment was £25 for every £1 invested, which was a conservative estimate.
At the Deep End: integrating money advice workers into GP practices
Douglas O’Malley, Health Improvement Lead with Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, summarises the findings of the research in his blog.
The Deep End Advice Worker Project: Embedding an Advice Worker in General Practice Settings
Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) produced a report on the processes underpinning the Deep End Advice Worker project, including an assessment of its impact. The project developed and tested approaches to delivering advice services (e.g. financial and debt advice, housing advice and social security support) in two general practices in north east Glasgow. The main focus of the Deep End Advice Worker project was to improve social and economic outcomes for people. It also sought to reduce the time medical staff spent on non-clinical issues.
The report explicitly examines the importance of practitioner knowledge and professional relationships in collaborative service delivery projects. Recommendations are made regarding approaches to delivering future work of this nature.
Advice in practice: Understanding the effects of integrating advice in primary care sett
A report by Citizens Advice and the Royal College of General Practitioners evaluating the impact of integrated advice services in general practice. The report focusses on services provided by Citizens Advice Bureau in Liverpool and Derbyshire evaluating the impact on patients, practice staff and advice service providers. Key findings include:
- 75% of GPs said there was a positive effect on patients health and wellbeing
- 72% of GPs said there was a positive effect on the overall care for patients
- 61% of GPs said it had a positive effect on their ability to focus on and treat patients’ clinical issues
- 61% of GPs said there were positive effects on the number of repeat visits about the same non-clinical issue
- 53% of GPs said there was a positive effect on the amount of time they spend on non-clinical issues in consultations.
- Advice services that are integrated within general practice are the most effective way of delivering advice to patient populations
Evaluation of the impact on GP surgeries of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau Health Outreach service
An evaluation report by NHS Sefton on the impact on integrated advice services in general practice. The Citizens Advice Bureau Health Outreach Service provides advice surgeries in nine practices in the Sefton area. Data was gathered from 148 patients from six practices on use of health services six months before and six months after first appointment with the CAB service. These showed statistically significant reductions in the number of GP appointments and prescriptions for hypnotics/anxiolytics.
Exposing the impact of advice services on health and inequalities
This study by the National Institute of for Health Research measures the impact that advice services have on improving recipients’ health and reducing health inequalities.
The project used realist evaluation to find out how, why, for whom, and in what circumstances Citizens Advice Gateshead (CAG) advice services were effective in improving health. The data shows a very significant increase in wellbeing and significant decrease in stress as a result of contact with CAG. Interviews with staff and clients show how CAG contributed to this positive outcome.
Low Commission Report
This report shows how the right welfare advice in the right place produces real benefits for patient health especially where advice services work directly with the NHS and care providers and presents clear evidence that early and effective advice provision reduces demand on the NHS. The report is an evidence review undertaken through a joint project between the Low Commission and the Advice Services Alliance. It outlines key findings from 140 research studies in the field and gives an overview of 58 integrated health and welfare advice services; the key finding is that welfare advice provided in health context results in better individual health and well-being and lower demand for health services. The report compiles the mounting evidence of both the adverse health impact of social welfare law problems and the beneficial health impact of receiving good advice and makes recommendations to relevant health bodies and stakeholders.
UCL Faculty of Laws – Health Justice Partnerships in Social Prescribing
A background paper outlining the development of Health Justice Partnerships in various countries. The paper summarises various approaches and reasons for developing HJPs in Australia, North America and the UK and reviews the impact these have on health services, patients and advice agencies.
Embedding Welfare Rights Advisors in General Practice
A poster and companion postcard infographic resource summarising the findings of the Social Return on Investment evaluation conducted by the Improvement Service.
Integrating/Embedding Welfare Rights Advice in General Practice - Key facts
A fact sheet outlining the key elements required to develop Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships in General Practice.
Podcast - Welfare Advisors in Health and Social Care Services (Iriss.fm)
A roundtable discussion on the embedding of welfare advisers in health and social care services, as an effective response to the impact of welfare reform.
The discussion involved Kate Burton, Public Health Practitioner at Scottish Public Health Network; Roddy Samson, Welfare Advice Service Facilitator at the Improvement Service; and Karen Carrick, Project Manager at the Improvement Service. They discuss what a welfare adviser is, and detail the embedded model - its effectiveness, challenges and plans for it going forward.
Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships – Facts and Impacts
An information postcard containing key elements of the WAHP model and the benefits of WAHPs to healthcare professionals and patients.
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