Question reference: S6W-14551
- Date lodged: 31 January 2023
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 February 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS 111 staff are trained to identify pressures of financial strain in callers and signpost to money advice services if appropriate.
Answer
Many of the calls received at the Mental Health Hub, via the NHS 24 111 line, are driven by a range of complex and interrelated social factors, including financial worries.
Callers to the Hub are connected to a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), a specially trained advisor who can offer advice and support on coping with a range of mental health symptoms.
PWPs are able to signpost callers to sources of support and advice for financial worries, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, when appropriate to do so.