More than 95,000 Trafford patients struggling with money worries are now able to access a dedicated debt service due to a new partnership between Citizens Advice Trafford, Altrincham Healthcare Alliance Primary Care Network and North Trafford Primary Care Network.
Patients from Park Medical Practice can benefit from the six month pilot programme, running until March 2022, which aims to relieve the stress and anxiety linked to financial fears by providing help around managing debt, budgeting, bankruptcy issues, applying for a 60 day breathing space from creditors, bailiff action, rent arrears, eviction and benefits support.
Working through the Social Prescribing teams which support GP practices, the pilot service will enable patients of Altrincham Healthcare Alliance PCN – Altrincham Medical Practice, Park Medical Practice, Shay Lane Medical Centre (Drs Kelman, Cranston, Naylor, Haslam, Connell and Pathak), St Johns Medical Centre and West Timperley Medical Centre – and North Trafford PCN to swiftly access dedicated advisors at Citizens Advice Trafford.
Sarah Warman, Lead Social Prescriber with Altrincham Healthcare Alliance PCN, said: “We have seen an increase in those struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues due to the impact of the pandemic, including anxiety surrounding furlough and job losses. Having swift access to dedicated advisors will enable better support for those in financial crisis.”
Dave Oglaza, Debt Team Manager at Citizens Advice Trafford said: “Not only will we be able to help people with debt, housing and other financial issues impacting on their wellbeing, we hope to reduce dependence on health services too. If this is successful, it could pave the way for similar schemes to run in more Trafford Primary Care Networks and other areas.”
Eligible patients can access this service by contacting their Social Prescribing teams via their GP practice. For more information about the support that can be provided by our Social Prescribing team please click here.
A leaflet for patients regarding the debt service is available by clicking here
