CVS Inverclyde is commissioned to provide GP-based Community Link Workers (CLWs) in every GP practice across Inverclyde.

Our Community Link Workers are fully embedded within practices and work alongside patients to address the non-medical issues that can affect health and wellbeing.

These might include:

·      Low income, debt and benefits

·      Housing and homelessness

·      Bereavement and loss

·      Disability or long-term conditions

·      Relationship and family issues

·      Being new to Scotland

·      Isolation and loneliness

·      Employment difficulties

By supporting patients with these challenges, Community Link Workers help people improve their mental and physical wellbeing, and allow GPs and clinical teams to focus on medical needs during appointments.

Patient confidentiality is central to our role. Community Link Workers are bound by the same confidentiality standards as the GP practice team.

Please note: Community Link Workers cannot make GP appointments, obtain fit notes or request prescriptions. These should be arranged directly with the GP practice reception team. [link to leaflet]

Supporting patients

Once a referral has been made (see How to make a referral below), the appropriate Community Link Worker from the GP practice will contact the patient to:

·      Introduce themselves

·      Explain their role

·      Agree next steps

We get in touch in the way that works best for the patient – for example by phone, text, email or letter.

Together, we will:

·      Talk through what is happening and what matters to the patient

·      Explore local services, activities and resources that may help

·      Agree a plan and follow-up actions

·      Review and adapt support as needed

While we often signpost patients to other services, many people face complex issues that can feel difficult to navigate alone. Our team take time to be “alongside” the patient, helping to remove barriers and build confidence to access support.

Once a patient is appropriately “linked” to the right support, we will step back – but we can re-engage if new issues arise and another referral is made.

Community Link Workers may meet patients:

·      At the GP practice

·      At another service

·      In a community venue or café

·      On a walk-and-talk

·      Occasionally at home (where necessary and safe to do so)

 Our Community Link Worker Team

Our Community Link Workers bring a wide range of professional and lived experience, including:

·      Finance and money advice

·      Nursing and health

·      Social work and social care

·      Recovery and mental health

·      Employability and carers’ support

Training is a key part of the role. The team receive enhanced trauma training and regular updates on new issues and developments, so that support is informed, sensitive and person-centred.

We also take part in regular reflective practice sessions, sharing experience, knowledge and learning across the team to ensure high-quality, consistent support.

Partnership working

Community Link Workers are often described as “social prescribers”. This means we:

·      Listen to the issues a patient is facing

·      Explore options and resources together

·      Support patients to make informed choices about their next steps

As part of CVS Inverclyde, Community Link Workers are impartial and can actively promote:

·      Third sector services and community groups

·      Statutory and public services

·      Specialist organisations

A “social prescription” might involve support to:

·      Access counselling or mental health support

·      Get financial or debt advice

·      Resolve housing issues

·      Join community groups or activities

·      Arrange aids and adaptations at home

To keep our knowledge up to date, we:

·      Maintain regular contact with local and national partners

·      Host service update sessions

·      Attend events and themed network meetings

This means patients receive current, accurate information about services that can support them.