NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has helped thousands of patients and carers with the cost of living.

Since April 2023, NHSGGC's Support and Information Services, along with partners, have been working to tackle health inequalities.

They have provided more than 3,700 hospital-based money advice referrals, over 2,000 emergency food packages upon discharge, more than 600 maternity emergency grants, and over 400 home energy crisis responses for patients leaving NHSGGC hospitals.

The initiative aims to ensure that at-risk patients and carers do not return to cold, damp homes or face hunger after a hospital stay.

These teams have been crucial in addressing non-clinical challenges worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK cost of living crisis.

Pressures like these significantly affect health inequalities, child poverty, emotional well-being, and social isolation, particularly for those attending hospital.

Gillian Harvey, NHSGGC health improvement lead, said: "The cost-of-living mitigation response has been greatly appreciated by staff, patients, and carers.

"Our busy clinicians are assured that important public health issues are being addressed, allowing them to focus on their clinical work and, supporting NHSGGC staff with their own health, enables them to support our patients effectively, making this initiative a vital part of our hospital discharge planning process.

"This work wouldn't be possible without the help of our partners, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.

"We have offices across our acute sites and invite any patient, carer, or staff member who feels like they're struggling to visit us."

The team's packages focus on the well-being of both patients and NHSGGC staff and include:

Maternity Emergency Grant (MEG): A £50 immediate cash grant for pregnant women or their carers experiencing emergency needs related to hospital appointments.

NHSGGC Staff Hardship Grant: Grants of up to £100 for staff experiencing financial hardship, helping them cope with unexpected costs and remain in work. The Staff Hardship Grant has supported 452 NHSGGC staff to date.

Crisis Home Energy Service: A crisis response for patients unable to power their homes, reducing delayed hospital discharge and negative health consequences from cold and damp housing.

Emergency Food on Discharge Service (EFD): A 2-day food package for patients referred by hospital clinicians as part of discharge planning.

Hospital-Based Money Advice & Financial Inclusion Services: Holistic financial well-being support hosted within hospitals.

Homeless Hospital Outreach Service: Supports homeless patients or those at risk, preventing homelessness and ensuring holistic support for housing, health, and financial well-being.

DWP Hospital Helpline: Quick and direct access to advice and support for hospital patients who are clients of the DWP.

Social Security Scotland Hospital Partnership Service: Supports patients applying for Adult Disability Payment or other Social Security Scotland benefits.