NHS workers help in the fight against child poverty
Renfrewshire midwives and health visitors have emerged as a key tool to combat child poverty.
They are being used on the frontline to ask families sensitive questions about finances.
Challenge Poverty Week, which begins on Monday, focusses on families living under constant cash pressure.
The Healthier, Wealthier Children programme generated an additional income of £1.16 million for families across Renfrewshire in the year to March.
Some families have been given welfare benefits they were not claiming and some debts written off.
Since its launch a decade ago, the NHS initiative has put a total of £36.5 million into the pockets of struggling families in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
And a total of 26,000 referrals to the project have been made.
Dr Noreen Shields of the Equality and Human Rights Team at NHSGGC said: “Our midwives and health visitors are now asking families about money and debt worries routinely and referring to money advice services as part of day to day care.
“In light of Covid-19, the need to ensure that our patients are getting the financial support they require is greater than ever.
“By asking a simple question and providing patients, parents or carers with assistance on where to get help, we can do so much to prevent unnecessary worry and anxiety.”
Healthier, Wealthier Children works closely with antenatal and community child health services to target pregnant women and families with young children experiencing or at risk of poverty.