Citizens' advice in general practice

Area of Science:

• Primary Care
• Social Determinants of Health
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• General practices are increasingly recognized as crucial points for addressing social determinants of health.
• Citizens Advice Bureaus (CAB) offer vital support for navigating complex social security and welfare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the integration of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) services within general practice settings.
• To assess the impact of these integrated services on patient outcomes and benefit acquisition.

Main Methods:

• A prospective survey was conducted with 150 consecutive patients attending integrated CAB sessions.
• Data collected included patient social characteristics, presented problems, benefits obtained, and health concerns.
• The study involved 10 general practices in South Birmingham that volunteered for the initiative.

Main Results:

• Advice sought spanned the full spectrum of CAB services.
• 39 out of 150 patients secured financial benefits totaling over £58,000 annually, with a significant portion being recurring payments.
• Patients who mentioned health problems were notably more likely to be eligible for unclaimed benefits.

Conclusions:

• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) sessions integrated into general practice are an effective model for delivering life advice and securing appropriate benefits.
• This integrated model particularly benefits patients with health problems, enhancing their access to entitlements.
• The service complements existing CAB activities without detracting from their core functions.