The call was made at the launch today of Prescribing Advice, a special report highlighting existing Citizens Advice services targeted especially at NHS patients. Already, NHS patients are prescribed free, independent Citizens Advice Bureaux advice in 1,154 regular outreach services, delivered in partnership with local healthcare providers across England and Wales - as part of the service’s 3,200 outreach services. But many more surgeries, health centres and hospitals don’t yet have CAB advice on-site.
Often a GP can see that the solution to a patient’s problem is not just clinical, but is related to some underlying factor like low income. There are well-established causal links between poverty and poor health, and very often a patient’s physical and mental health can be helped by giving them advice on obtaining welfare benefits, or solving other problems. That is where prescribing advice can help.
David Harker, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Our vision is that CAB advice, advocacy and support services should be incorporated into all health service planning and made available to all patients, carers, relatives and health service staff, wherever it is needed, across the health and social care system.
“We hope that GPs and other purchasers will see the case for working with Citizens Advice to tackle the social and economic causes of the health inequalities that are a blight on our nation’s health. People in health policy often say that the NHS cannot afford to help provide advice services - but given the proven benefits to long-term health in patients, the real question must be whether they can afford not to.”
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: “Better advice means better physical and mental health. Locating advice and support within NHS primary care and other services has been very effective, with beneficial results on people’s lives and their health. I look forward to this vital work continuing and contributing to our overall efforts to improve health and reduce health inequalities.”
Sir Nigel Crisp, Chief Executive of the NHS, said: “Citizens Advice Bureau have a real understanding of their local communities and can play an important role, working with local health planners and other agencies in identifying the gaps in the service.”
Dr Fiona Adshead, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, said: “Citizens Advice Bureaux, who have built up an extensive network of services in GP surgeries and health centres, hospitals and clinics, are well-placed to provide advice on the wider issues that affect health and well-being and health inequalities.”
Quelle: PublicTechnology, 21.07.2005
