FAQs
What is the Independent Advice & Support Service (IASS)?
What can IASS do for health service users?
Why use IASS?
When should you use IASS?
Have you any examples of how IASS works?
How can IASS help NHS staff?
What are the benefits of IASS for the NHS and for the patient or their family?
How can I contact IASS?
What is the Independent Advice & Support Service (IASS)?
Based within citizens advice bureaux IASS aims to provide holistic and independent advice and support to all health service users who require it. The service was created by the Scottish Government and is funded by local health boards.
What can IASS do for health service users?
IASS can offer:
- Advice and help on a range of issues that can have an impact on health such as housing, employment, benefits or money worries
- Assistance with identifying and exploring options about raising a concern regarding treatment and to offer advice nd support to use the NHS complaints process
- Information and advice about how to access and navigate health, community and social services that help to improve health and well being.
Why use IASS?
IASS brings all of the benefits offered by the CAB, including independence and impartiality. The service takes a holistic approach to healthcare, recognising the health impacts of an individual’s wider circumstances. IASS caseworkers will seek to ensure the right support, advice and services are in place and, when things go wrong, an individual has help with seeking redress.
When should you use IASS?
You should refer people to IASS when you identify someone you believe needs extra support in accessing health or other services, or who requires help in raising a concern regarding their treatment.
Have you any examples of how IASS works?
Yes, these case studies show how IASS caseworkers have helped patients and their families.
How can IASS help NHS staff?
IASS caseworkers and NHS staff can work in partnership to improve outcomes for patients, both in relation to the support and care they receive and in resolving issues when there have been concerns or complaints about that support and care.
What are the benefits of IASS for the NHS and for the patient or their family?
The IASS module for Health Professionals on the NHS Education for Scotland Equality in Health website explains the benefits of IASS.
How can I contact IASS? You can download contact details for your local IASS caseworker.
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