The Government has been urged to tackle post-Covid inequalities by helping GPs prescribe debt advice and job support for patients struggling with their finances.
The Social Market Foundation (SMF) says financial prescribing, which enables the NHS to refer patients to non-clinical agencies like debt charities and jobs boards, could be a lifeline for those who have lost income during the pandemic and ease the workload of overstretched doctors.
The think-tank criticised a lack of “joined-up thinking” when it comes to improving financial resilience and access to jobs, calling on the Government to oversee and support a network of solutions that could be recommended to vulnerable consumers.