Recognising the Importance of Community Health Workers

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the importance of community-based health services, including mental health support, addiction services and health visiting; believes that health interventions, which are made early and are easily accessible in the local area, do not only improve individual health outcomes but prevent an increase in demand on already strained acute services and prescribing further down the line; notes reports that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has already cut 63 roles; further notes the reported concerns of workers and representative trade unions that these proposals have been put forward without satisfactory consultation of workers and the public who rely on these services; notes the reported decision of UNISON, RCN and UNITE to lodge a formal dispute on this matter, and believes that these 63 roles should be maintained and properly resourced so that key workers can be supported to stay well at work, deliver the services that they care about and ensure that people can access the care and support that they need in the community.