The Primary Care Project is funded through the Primary Care Trusts and the Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme.
The Link Workers reach and support those individuals who are experiencing difficulties in accessing and utilising primary health care services. They have developed relationships with GP practices across the city and continue to support the weekly Irish Clinic provided by Dr. Mohammed Walji at Balsall Heath Health Centre.
In addition to physical and/or mental health problems, service users present with a complex array of needs such as;
- poor or inadequate housing,
- isolation,
- poverty,
- mistrust of professionals,
- lack of transport,
- poor literacy skills,
- alcohol misuse,
- self neglect.
The impact of these factors can result in the failure of this group to identify or to prioritise their health care needs.
Through providing a culturally sensitive service the Link Workers are able to develop a relationship of trust with the service users. From this foundation they have been able to support service users to access and engage with services offered by;
- GP’s,
- primary health care staff,
- preventative clinics,
- opticians,
- chiropodists,
- dentists.
- occupational therapists.
The Link Workers may offer this support directly to service users until they have gained the confidence to access these services themselves or for example they may assist them organise other sources of support such as hospital transport.
Where other factors are impacting on their health the Link Workers are able to refer the service user to the appropriate service within IWIC where they will receive support to access the appropriate statutory service to address their needs.
Link Workers also offer to support service users in an advocacy capacity particularly in relation to engaging with social services, in the provision of appropriate home care packages and in obtaining adaptations to their home to promote their independence.
