Financial advice through the NHS for long-term sick

Trust chiefs at NHS Doncaster decided to fund the work of personal finance specialist Alison Kilgour-Miller last year after medics said people struggling with cash could be more of a strain on services.

It is thought that people with serious illnesses make their conditions worse by worrying about debts and other problems and the advice project was designed to keep sufferers more healthy.

NHS Doncaster began funding Alison's post after the trust's Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment (PDSI) Partnership Board highlighted improving access to debt and money advice as a priority for action.

In the first six months, there were a total of 338 contacts with clients, who received debt counselling, help to manage budgets and assistance with financial matters related to housing and benefits.

Tracey Cooper, NHS Doncaster's commissioning manager, said falling into a downward financial spiral was a problem often faced by people diagnosed with disability or illness with the current recession placing an additional strain.

She said: "It can be the case that people who acquire a disability lose their job which has an impact on their ability to pay the mortgage and household bills leading to additional stress.

"This, in turn, can have a negative effect on their health, creating a vicious circle."

Mrs Kilgour-Miller said: "Debts and debt charges can quickly mount up but the first step is to acknowledge the problem as well as possible implications.

"I collect information about income and debts and then work with clients to put a budget together and prioritise payments to creditors.

"I also aim to give people the tools they need to stay in control of their finances in the future.

"Although it can be a long process, I can always do something to help and it's easy to see how stress can ease when clients realise they do have choices."

For more details of the service log onto www.dialdoncaster.co.uk call 01302 327800 or by emailing [email protected]