That the Parliament welcomes the significant expansion of the Community Link Worker programme in the Highlands, which is run by Change Mental Health and funded by NHS Highland; understands that the service will double its current reach from serving 31 GP practices to 62; recognises that it follows a social prescribing model that is focused on improving the health outcomes arising from social problems, which can lead to poor mental and physical health; believes that this service helps to break down the barriers and inequalities that rural communities face in accessing mental healthcare through providing community-led local support; notes that this expansion will mean that all GP surgeries across the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership will have access to a Community Link Worker, and wishes the service all the best for the future.
Supported by:
Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney