Category

• Emerging Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Prevention
• Mitigation

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Poverty driver

• Increase income from benefits
• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Health
• Financial Inclusion
• Digital and Technology
• Access to benefits
• NHS

Aim

The aim of the project is to repay income lost to those who are self-isolating due to illness.

Summary

NHS Ayrshire and Arran provide compensation to those who are self-isolating due to illness but are not entitled to compensation for loss of income earnings. The project protects those who are economically vulnerable and increases the likelihood public health measures being implemented. Concerns were raised that those who were entitled to compensation were not asking for it. The letter that was being sent was found to be hard to read and contained excessive legal jargon. A participative process was introduced to bring together stakeholders and clients to improve the readability of the letter and increase the project’s uptake.

What difference does it make?

Health protection nurses and patients are now more able to discuss repayment for loss of earnings due to self-isolation or other restrictions. This is due to an improved application process.

Key take-aways

• Health Protection Teams sometimes need to issue restrictions or exclusions to individuals to prevent spread of infections within the population. However, the NHS has the capacity to provide loss of earnings payments to those who are restricted or excluded and who are not entitled to compensation for loss of earnings.
• Ensuring means of contact are accessible and user-friendly encourages those in need to receive support.
• Providing financial inclusion pathway posters and training for staff may empower them to ask patients more broadly about money worries and direct them to support.

 

Organisations

NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Location

Ayrshire and Arran (NHS area)

Started October 2022 with full implementation by March 2023

Contact