What role do community links workers play in tackling health inequalities?
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 30th April 2025
A new blog for CHEX explores the vital role community link workers (CLW) play as essential connectors between primary care, patients, and communities.
With more than 300 community link workers working across 80% of GP practices, their support includes advice around mental health, social isolation and loneliness, housing, trauma and financial issues.
Peter Cairns, a GP in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, describes CLWs as ‘transformational to our practice’ and a ‘ray of light’ for vulnerable people."
However, even as early intervention remains a key policy driver in Scotland, the funding landscape for CLW remains uncertain. In the piece, Roisin Hurst, Project Manager at the Scottish Community Link Worker Network explains that one recurrent theme is a “lack of a clear national strategy for community link working and social prescribing."
Community Link Workers play a vital role and are a key part of how we take a more preventative, community-led approach to addressing Scotland's health inequalities.
The SCLWN Annual Conference takes place on 7th May.
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