GREENS WELCOME VITAL COMMUNITY LINK WORKER FUNDING
A multi-million pound funding package from the Scottish Government has been announced that will save under-threat health workers across Glasgow after campaigning by GPs, trade unions and Glasgow Green councillors.
A multi-million pound funding package from the Scottish Government has been announced that will save under-threat health workers across Glasgow after campaigning by GPs, trade unions and Glasgow Green councillors.
The Scottish Government announced on Thursday that £3.6million will be provided over the next three years in helping to maintain the current amount of Community Link Practitioners (CLPs) in Glasgow.
The shortfall was predicated by a lack of commitment from ministers in Holyrood, leaving these key workers fearing for their jobs.
Councillors Lana Reid-McConnell and Anthony Carroll raised with Scottish Government Ministers as well as MSPs about the serious situation facing CLPS in Glasgow, and the vital preventative investment they provide to the city.
Green councillors have also consistently shown support for trade unions, including backing the GMB’s view that the city cannot put a price on the work done by CLPs.
Commenting on the announcement, Glasgow Greens Health Spokesperson, Councillor Lana Reid-McConnell, said:
“The news of funding to maintain the current level of Community Links Workers is incredibly important as these roles support patients on a huge range of issues they may be facing including emotional and financial hardship. It cannot be underestimated the impact they are having in some of our most deprived communities in preventing further ill health.
“It is thanks to incredible work by community Links workers, the gmb, the deep end gp network and more who've persisted in recent months, keeping this issue at the top of the Scottish government’s agenda in recent months, demanding that CLWs are not only valued but funded.
Councillor Anthony Carroll, Glasgow Greens Community Spokesperson added: “Glasgow’s Green Councillors have been supporting the calls of the health sector and its workers by pressing the Scottish Government for this outcome.
“I am delighted that the funding has been secured to keep these posts going for the next three years. However, we must look to the future, and ensure that there is long-term, sustainable financial investment in this service, as it has proven to be worth its weight in gold in Glasgow’s preventative care plan.”