- £3.6 million over three years to sustain vital services.
An additional £3.6 million of funding over three years is being
provided by the Scottish Government to preserve the existing
Community Link Worker (CLW) programme within Glasgow City Health
and Social Care Partnership.
Community Link Workers offer one-to-one support for issues such
as debt, housing and loneliness, reducing pressure on GPs which
allows them to focus on patients’ medical needs. Community Link
Workers are particularly valuable in areas of high deprivation
where poverty and inequality contribute to poor health.
The Scottish Government reinforced its commitment to CLWs in this
year’s Programme for Government and is taking forward work to
ensure that CLW services are consistently available where there
is greatest need for their support.
The announcement addresses a funding gap identified by Glasgow
City Health and Social Care Partnership. Funding of £1.2 million
a year, on a recurring basis from 2024-5, has been offered for
three years - providing staff and practices with stability. This
is in addition to the Partnership’s expected Primary Care
Improvement Fund allocation for 2024-25 and will ensure that the
number of posts remain at current levels.
Health Secretary said:
“This additional investment into Community Link Workers, to
address a funding gap identified by Glasgow City Health and
Social Care Partnership, reinforces our commitment to narrowing
health inequalities in the city by ensuring this valued element
of primary care support continues to thrive.
“GPs in the city have made very clear how much they depend upon
Community Link Workers to help them ensure that patients get the
care and support they need.
“I am grateful for the constructive collaboration we have had
with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership and am
pleased we have been able to reach this solution. I hope this
decision brings peace of mind, not just to the staff whose posts
were at risk, but for GPs, patients and communities who rely on
this vital service.”
Background
The Community Link Worker programme aims to bridge the gap
between General Practices and communities. As well as working
directly with patients, link workers keep practice staff up to
date with what’s going on in the community. This helps practice
staff to signpost patients to relevant resources and support.
CLWs also work with organisations in the local community to
develop and promote available services and support, and help
identify gaps in provision.
Most funding for Community Link Worker services across Scotland
comes from the Primary Care Improvement Fund.
