Cost Of Living & Financial Wellbeing

Intranet_MECC
The new Population Health Framework 2025-2035 states that those who need income assistance should be able to access income maximisation support easily within healthcare settings.

Lower income is associated with more 'stressors' which can harm health and allow fewer opportunities for good health. Individuals on low incomes find it difficult to adopt and/or maintain healthy behaviours. Individuals may also find it difficult to invest in better housing or even better quality of food. They may also struggle to invest in things like further education and training, which can affect opportunities in work.

The rising cost of living can be stressful and also impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.

Asking someone about their financial wellbeing could not only positively impact on that person’s everyday life, but also their health.



Ask
Suggested one minute script:

"Many people are currently struggling financially, and this has a direct impact on health. Because of this, we are asking our patients some questions on how they are managing, and offering resources that can support them through tough times. You don't have to answer them if you don't want to"

In the last few months....

·         Have you been worried that you wouldn't be able to pay your household bills? or
·         Have you been worried about your food or fuel, e.g. your electricity meter would run out before you had money to buy more? Or you have had to cut down on your food shop?

Assist

 
If yes to either of the questions:

Can I share with you some information about free and impartial services that can help on a range of issues such as welfare benefits, debt, home energy bills and scams?

If no:

Tell the patient/client that it is good that they are managing. If anything changes there are services that can help and they can find out me about these through NHS Tayside's Advice Centre.


Act

Signpost or refer the person you are supporting to free, impartial and trusted sources of support. Some healthcare settings already have established referral pathways in place.

Area
Method
Advice Service referred into
 
Maternity and Neonatal Unit
Badgernet
Welfare Rights and Home Energy Scotland
Health Visiting and FNP
EMIS/Morse form
Welfare Rights and Home Energy Scotland
Oncology
Co-located service
Macmillan Welfare Rights team
Carseview
Co-located service
Brooksbank Advice Service
Primary care
Refguide or Co-located service
Community Link Worker/Social Prescriber
Secondary Care (inpatient and outpatient)
Advice Centre will triage to appropriate service.

Some useful services to signpost to:

Advice Centre
E-mail: Tay.AdviceCentre@nhs.scot
Phone: 01382 740519
Located on the main concourse of Ninewells Hopsital, the Advice Centre offers information and advice on services that can help with debt, benefit entitlements, home energy efficiency, grants and food insecurity. The Advice Centre has compiled a Cost of Living Directory of free-to-use advice services.

Dundee Welfare Rights
E-mail: welfare.rights@dundeecity.gov.uk
Phone: 01382 431188 (option 2)

Citizens Advice Bureau
Local CAB or Citizens Advice Scotland: 0800 028 1456
Advice on issues such as debt management and welfare benefits, housing, immigration, employment, consumer complaints, scams and landlord-tenant disputes.

MoneyHelper
Phone: 0800 138 7777
Online form: Money Guidance Enquiry Form
Free and impartial help with money and pensions
 
Please note: If you have concerns that the person you are supporting is a victim of financial or economic abuse or is at risk of financial abuse, please follow Adult Protection Policy and report concern.