Impact of a Community Link Worker

The impact ALLIANCE Community Link Workers (CLWs) make is measured both quantitively and qualitatively. In 2023, The ALLIANCE CLWs received around 11,000 referrals and 40,000 appointments. These appointments were with 7,700 different people resulting in 4,500 onward referrals. CLWs reduce the pressure on GPs and practices by providing a holistic person-centred approach to every person, addressing the social, environmental, and economical issues that are impacting their health and wellbeing.

Every person referred to the program is offered the opportunity to complete a wellbeing survey (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) at the start and at the end, measuring the impact of the service on a person’s wellbeing.

Working closely with patients and primary care staff, CLWs ensure the voice of lived experience is always heard by listening and promoting change. Here are some feedback quotes from patients and practices about their link workers:

“[CLW] has worked with our medical students to facilitate a deeper understanding of how the CLW service becomes a fundamental ‘go to’ within a GP’s toolkit for many social issues which are not always the GP’s area of expertise”.  – Practice Manager 

“[CLW] is a real asset to the practice, no problem too big or small. He has fitted in superbly to the team, so easy to talk to and feedback from the  patients has been extremely positive, He helps make our life as GPs much easier.” – Practice Manager

“Can’t thank you enough – I have tried to get help for so many years and now things are happening” – Patient

“The support I received helped me in ways that no one will ever know. I was at my lowest point and couldn’t see a way out. The worker listened to me and allowed me to say how I was feeling and gave me the support I needed and also got me the help that I required. Then with the follow up phone calls and checking in to see how my mental health has been again really helped more than you know. I’m extremely grateful for the help and support”. – Patient

“The service we receive from our CLW is excellent and has made a real difference in our overall approach to patient health and wellbeing care”. – GP

“Patients often comment to me in consultations that they have had contact with [CLW] and have appreciated her help and support. We are very thankful to have [CLW] at our practice”. – GP

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