Chamber and committees

Are the link workers who are signposting people using the ALISS system, which is the national Government-funded local information system for Scotland? I am aware that there might be issues around keeping that system up to date. That is my first question—are the link workers either directing people through ALISS or using it themselves?

Secondly, Dumfries and Galloway basically dingied ALISS and set up its own DG Locator service, which is updated at regional rather than national level. Do you have any thoughts about how we should direct people? Is it the link worker’s job to link into the ALISS system or other systems?

I have another wee question. Previously, we have talked about additional skills to deliver additional services. For example, in one of our members’ business debates, we spoke about the fact that optometrists are often the first people to detect type 2 diabetes, and that would lead to a referral for a blood glucose check. Could that check be delivered in an optometry setting? It would require people to receive additional training to ensure they had the right level of competency and skill.

There we go.

I will pick up on what Jess Sussmann just said and relate it back to her comment about support for art. I had a case of someone who wanted to use self-directed support money for art therapy to help them tackle social isolation. Their proposal was refused, because it related to art and was therefore not seen as important.

Jess, how do you feel about that sort of support being used to benefit people and tackle social isolation in that way? I know that art therapy is really good for that. I see that you are shaking your head. What are your thoughts on that?

I have had a look on ALISS myself, and I cannae find any mention of men’s sheds in Dumfries and Galloway. I know that we have them from Stranraer to Lockerbie, so there is an issue about the system being at its most up to date and accurate.

What steps can be taken to support general practices in providing effective signposting? That might involve care navigators or other methods, but what is the best way of communicating to people what is out there?

We have seen how the pandemic has made people engage more in daily walks and in accessing the outdoors. Has there been a shift in knowledge about social prescribing because of the pandemic? We know that people have been really isolated and that telephone befriending services were therefore set up. That would be seen as social prescribing that is not about sport but about tackling isolation to support wellbeing. Has the pandemic led to an increase in awareness of social prescribing?

Thanks, convener. There was a bit of a mix of views. Some people had an absolutely excellent experience of accessing alternative pathways and for others it was the complete opposite. A lot of the challenges were about communication, how signposting is delivered and what pathways or social prescribing options are out there.

All those people defined what social prescribing meant, but it was very new to them and when they called the GP practice the receptionist could be the absolute barrier to any progress. Those were a couple of the issues that came up.

People also asked why they could not make online appointments and why they could not just get text messages to remind them when there was an appointment. They raised the issue of joined-up computer information data systems, as well.

Some of the points are the same as those that we heard in the social prescribing session that we had in the previous parliamentary session, so it will be interesting to hear everybody else’s thoughts this morning.

My final question is about community links workers. When I last looked at the data, in March 2021, 218 links workers had been registered or looked at on the Scottish Government’s website, and it looks as though we are on track to have around 323 by March this year. Community links workers are supposed to help to direct people to the alternative pathways, services and social prescribing that are out there. How can links workers’ communication on the alternative pathways and social prescribing that are available for people help to support them?

Good morning, panel. Some of the information that I was looking for has been covered by Dr Chris Williams, who talked about the benefits of ALISS.

Our briefing papers say that Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s “Care Navigation in General Practice: 10-Step Guide” recommends that individual practices collate and maintain their own lists of local service providers. GPs know their own locations, but is it realistic to expect them to collate and maintain their own databases, when programmes such as ALISS are out there? There are also regional programmes. For example, in Dumfries and Galloway, DG Locator is accessible and has an app. How do you feel about Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s recommendation that GPs keep their own database of places for social prescribing?

The inquiry is about alternative pathways to primary care. In the previous parliamentary session, the Health and Sport Committee held an inquiry about social prescribing for physical activity and sport. I am not saying that everybody needs to take up cycling and running, but we know that access to the outdoors can be beneficial, that men’s sheds can support people and that joining walking groups can be helpful. I am interested to hear from the witnesses about their experience of patients’ general attitudes towards social prescribing.

Yes.