Aberdeen link service eases pressure on GPs
23rd December 2022
A vital link service which offers non-clinical support to patients at GP surgeries when social and economic issues are negatively impacting their health or wellbeing has returned to pre-pandemic service levels and is alleviating pressure on Aberdeen GPs.
The Aberdeen City Link Practitioner Service has been run by charity SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) in partnership with ACHSCP (Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnerships) since 2018.
The tender has recently been re-awarded to the charity for a further four years after it was shown that the service made a positive contribution to the local community and GP practices, including an impressive recovery in referral numbers post-pandemic, according to new figures released by the charity.
In its first year, the service saw a notable 110 per cent increase in referrals, with a peak of 2,418 referrals in 2019/20. This figure unsurprisingly dipped to 1,503 in 2020/21 due to national and local lockdowns.
However, service levels have since seen a significant rise, with the team supporting 1,451 individuals since June this year.
The results come at a critical time within NHS Grampian GP practices as demand for services increases. It is estimated that a third of GP visits have a mental health component, and SAMH’s expertise has ensured the Aberdeen City Link Practitioner Service can connect people with the right support to meet their needs, reducing pressure on GPs and freeing up appointments.
The service has provided 20 full-time equivalent Link Practitioners attached to 28 General Practices across the city.
Billy Watson, Chief Executive of SAMH, said: “SAMH is proud to have managed the Aberdeen City Link Practitioner Service for the past four years and delighted to have been awarded a renewed contract to continue to deliver the programme, which offers practical solutions for individuals and connects the people of Aberdeen to customised support.
“We look forward to building on this impactful work and continuing to work closely with Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to support our GP colleagues, patients and the wider community during this critical time.”
Connor Brown, who received a referral to the Aberdeen City Link Practitioner Service, also known as the Aberdeen Link Worker service, in 2020/21, said: “Due to my situation with family and friends at that point in my life, I put a lot of trust into the Aberdeen Link Worker service. Upon first meeting the local partner, it was really eye opening to know there was actually somebody there who I could actually speak to and be a human being with. This made it a really great experience.
“Being signposted from the Aberdeen Link Worker service to these viable services literally saved me.”
