The woman, who wishes to be known as Alison, says community link workers (CLW) were a lifeline for her when she had a mental health breakdown.
In April 2022, Alison reached out to her GP when she was going through a rough time and she was then referred to a CLW who spoke with her and listened to her concerns.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, she said: “I had a mental health breakdown and when I called my GP I got help right away and it was through the community link workers.
“Most of all they listened to me and they were there for me 24/7. I could phone anytime if I needed to.
“Sometimes the phone calls would be like half an hour, other times it would be an hour.
“I don’t think I would be here today if it wasn’t for the team that I had behind me.
Community link staff, working alongside GPs in surgeries, deliver support with non-medical problems impacting patients’ health, such as debt, housing, loneliness, food and fuel poverty, and abuse.
At a West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) board meeting members agreed to axe four ‘lifeline’ community link workers within 16 GP practices.
After hearing of the news Alison says she was ‘shocked’.
She added: “I was quite shocked because they are needed and I just can’t understand why because I got all the help that I needed but there are people that might not have that.
“I don’t know what I would do if they weren’t there. If I have bad days I know I can pick up the phone and somebody’s going to be there.
“It must be horrendous if somebody couldn’t get the help out there that they need.
“It’s just somebody that listens and they have turned my life around. That’s the way I look at it.
“I think it’s a money decision and I think it’s a mistake to cut this.”
It is understood that a meeting between the HSCP board and ALLIANCE, a health and social care organisation which employs CLWs, on the cuts is set to take place on Friday, February 7.
In a comment last week, a West Dunbartonshire HSCP spokesperson said: “As is the case for healthcare services across the country, West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership is facing considerable financial challenges.
“The HSCP fully understands the importance of the Community Link Worker programme and the positive impact it has had on both patients and healthcare providers.
“We would like to thank all those involved in the service for their hard work and commitment.
“West Dunbartonshire HSCP and The ALLIANCE are engaged in dialogue on how we move forward with the contract for Community Link Workers in light of the current financial situation. A further meeting is planned for next week.”
