'Getting financial help through my GP has improved my health'

In south London, GP surgeries are providing financial advice to help patients improve their health by managing debt and benefits claims under the Back on Track scheme. Over 1,100 people have benefited, with one-third of patients visiting GPs less often after receiving advice. The scheme is helping individuals like Ife, who successfully appealed a Universal Credit decision with the help of a financial support worker, and saw improvements in health and financial situation. The Financial Shield project aims to demonstrate how addressing financial stress can lead to enhanced health outcomes and reduce GP visits, emphasizing the importance of breaking the cycle of poor health and financial struggles.