by Lucy Ashton
Thousands of patients, families and staff across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) are being supported each year with money worries, thanks to the board’s Financial Inclusion partnership services.
Delivered through a network of hospital‑based money advice services, teams provide confidential support to help people manage financial pressures at a time when health concerns are often their main focus.
As the cost of living continues to rise, more people are finding it harder to make ends meet. For others, a change in personal circumstances – such as illness, bereavement, the birth of a child, relationship breakdown or loss of employment – can lead to immediate and unexpected money worries.
By offering quality-assured, impartial advice within hospital settings, the services help people navigate these challenges when they are most vulnerable.
Patients can access support through dedicated money advice services based in most NHSGGC hospitals. Referrals can be made by staff, or patients can self‑refer, ensuring help is available quickly and without stigma. NHSGGC staff can also make use of the help and advice on offer.
The services work closely alongside NHSGGC’s Support and Information Service (SIS), creating a joined‑up approach that recognises the impact financial pressure can have on health, recovery and wellbeing.
Through this integrated model, patients can receive help with benefits, debt, household energy costs and access to grants or wider financial support. Crucially, advice is tailored to individual circumstances, helping people understand what they may be entitled to and how to apply.
Supporting people to access social security benefits is a key part of the service’s work. NHSGGC also has a partnership with Social Security Scotland to provide targeted support at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, helping patients who may be newly entitled to benefits following a change in health status. This includes assistance with applications for Adult Disability Payment and other benefits administered by Social Security Scotland, helping to reduce delays and anxiety at an already challenging time.
For patients with a terminal diagnosis, timely financial advice can be particularly important. The BASRiS fast‑track process allows clinicians to evidence eligibility for disability benefits quickly, ensuring applications are processed faster and usually at the highest rate. Completing this process as early as possible can make a significant difference, helping families avoid unnecessary financial loss and additional worry.
The service also supports patients with the additional costs associated with hospital care, including help with travel expenses for people on low incomes or certain benefits, guidance for families visiting young people in hospital through the Young Patients Family Fund, and access to patient transport services for those with medical or mobility needs.
For children and young people, staff can help families navigate national free travel schemes, offering practical support where additional help is required.
During Brain Tumour Awareness Month, staff at the Institute of Neurological Sciences highlighted the impact that serious illness can have on financial stability, and the importance of early access to advice.
Dr Sharon Mulhearn, Consultant Clinical Psychologist for Neuropsychology and Clinical Lead for Regional Neuropsychology Services, added: “Brain tumours can cause significant physical, cognitive and emotional disability. Although a relatively rare diagnosis, patients can find themselves suddenly catapulted into a treatment pathway that can affect their ability to work and maintain financial independence, which can cause significant financial hardship for the patient and their family.
“Having access to financial advice is vital for this group of patients early on in their diagnosis. Having access to the right advice can really help the patient focus on their treatment and reduce their worry about possible financial pitfalls.”
By embedding poverty and financial inclusion support within hospital services, NHSGGC continues to recognise the close link between financial security and health –ensuring patients and families receive practical, compassionate support when they need it most.
Julie McGahan, Health Improvement Lead for Poverty and Financial Inclusion at NHSGGC, said: “Our hospital staff, as trusted sources of information and support for patients, have shown that they are well-positioned to help tackle poverty by referring patients to our onsite hospital money advice services.
“Getting assistance with money worries can improve overall well-being and promote a patient’s ability to comply with treatment advice. Patients have told us that in some cases, after years of struggling to make ends meet, getting help with money worries whilst in hospital has been life-changing”.
For more about these services and how you can access help, go to: Hospital-based money advice services – NHSGGC
Lisa-Marie McErlane, Money Adviser with partner agency GEMAP Scotland, provides support at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.